I've Hunted Down A Damaged Pen - What Will It Cost To Have It Fixed Professionally?

[Chouffleur]

In line with my newly-awakened interest in fountain pens, I spent part of the day haunting thrift stores and antique shops. I found a third-tier pen that's pretty but whose nib looks like it was crushed by being dropped point first on the floor then straightened with a pliers. The filler lever moves, the barrel is clean and shiny, and that's all I know. It will need a professional's care so I want to have an idea of what that might cost in order to see if I want to buy it.

 

I've seen a working version listed here a few years ago for a price in the $45-$70 range and a more recent eBay listing for $140 (0 bids).

 

What would be the average cost to have someone good replace the nib, re-sac, and generally clean-up the pen (let's pretend that it isn't complete (bleep) inside although I don't really know)?

 

I don't want to wind up paying bearskin rug money to show off a squirrel pelt in front of the fireplace.

 

I can walk away from this as it's not a great pen (although did I mention shiny?) but thrill-of-the-hunt and all that.

 

Thanks

Edited June 4, 2015 by Chouffleur

[Linedog]

A name or photo would do this thread a world of good. It would help those smarter than I give you a more intelligent answer.

[Chouffleur]

A name or photo would do this thread a world of good. It would help those smarter than I give you a more intelligent answer.

Eclipse Gold-Filled flat top.

 

But I doubt they are smarter than you are, perhaps more experienced. ;-)

[pen lady]

Returning this pen to a usable state wouldn't be difficult, as long as the only parts that needs replacing are the nib and ink sac. However, the cost of a new nib depends on how "tricked-out" you want this pen to be. A replacement Warranted nib (kind of generic, no-name) in 14kt. would cost more than a steel one. If you want to send the pen off to one of the pros, talk the nib situation over first. Best of luck, but we'd still like to see a picture

[ehemem]

Only your restorer will know for sure...

[Linedog]

I did a Google search, nice looking pen.

[Sasha Royale]

Which pen is it ? Not all pens can be repaired, or repaired cost-effectively.

Consider finding a "broken" one and collecting donor parts.

Edited June 4, 2015 by Sasha Royale

[Chouffleur]

Which pen is it ? Not all pens can be repaired, or repaired cost-effectively.

Consider finding a "broken" one and collecting donor parts.

Go to this post: https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/150942-7-vintage-metal-pens-eclipse-superite-etc/

 

Look at the third pen from the left.

 

Now imagine that you uncapped it and dropped it point down on a concrete floor.

 

Use a pliers to kind of straighten it out leaving a horizontal crease in the nib.

 

Now when a good-hearted soul offers to rescue it from pen purgatory by buying it and having it repaired maintain an unrealistically high valuation of it.

Edited June 4, 2015 by Chouffleur

[Jerry000g]

Have you removed the barrel from the section to inspect the sac and the lever? Replacing the sac on most old lever vacs is no big deal as long as you can find the right size sac. How is the nib fitted?

[BookCat]

Please take this with a pinch of salt because I'm on shaky ground: would it be possible to purchase a pen of the same brand, in bad condition, but with a good nib; a 'for parts only' cheapie from fleabay? Then you could swap the nibs yourself, which shouldn't be too difficult.

 

As for resaccing, that's really easy, even I've done that and I'm not a practical person.

Edited June 8, 2015 by BookCat

[Chouffleur]

Please take this with a pinch of salt because I'm on shaky ground: would it be possible to purchase a pen of the same brand, in bad condition, but with a good nib; a 'for parts only' cheapie from fleabay? Then you could swap the nibs yourself, which shouldn't be too difficult.

 

As for resaccing, that's really easy, even I've done that and I'm not a practical person.

That might be possible. This is the first of these pens I've seen but I'm new to this hobby. Thanks for the suggestion.

Edited June 8, 2015 by Chouffleur

[writetome]

I'm new to restoring,getting my first in on Tuesday.

Does the nib you currently have, have a number on it? Mine has a number, so I'll be able to switch nibs if need be ( it looks stuck with ink goo, but I won't quit until....well, until someone with way more experience says it's a goner and need to get new nib). I have no idea what the inside looks like! From...Bay. Lady is like an online flea market.

As for the rest, it seems pretty cut and dry (been doing research online for 4 days!).

Mine is also a lever fill, and I'm really hoping the J bar is in good condition lol!!

Let us know how it goes!!

[Hooker56]

Chouffleur,

The few Eclipse I've seen have Warranted Nibs on them. If you can get a good close up and measurements of the nib, go to FiveStarPens.com and search under Old Nibs- Other and look at the Warranted nibs he has available. Often for $30-35 you can replace your nib.

[Chouffleur]

Chouffleur,

The few Eclipse I've seen have Warranted Nibs on them. If you can get a good close up and measurements of the nib, go to FiveStarPens.com and search under Old Nibs- Other and look at the Warranted nibs he has available. Often for $30-35 you can replace your nib.

 

I'm still in the stalking-the-pronghorned-fountain-pen-across-the-plains stage. If the pen is still there when I revisit it in a few months, I'll follow your advice.

 

Thanks.

Edited June 27, 2015 by Chouffleur