Parts Question: Best Way To Source Caps?

[Rodney126]

I have some pens without caps. I wasn't hungry it was how they came in the grab bag.

 

But now I'm left with what looks like a decent red transitional Estie and black J Estie without caps.

 

I've looked on EBay but I don't want to buy a whole pen just for the cap; I'd just repair the pen WHICH STILL LEAVES ME IN NEED OF A CAP! (and sounding like a pirate) ARGH!

 

 

[Sasha Royale]

Sometimes, I see, on Ebay, a seller offering an Esterbrook cap. However, more often, I see the offer of an "AS IS" Esterbrook , that doesn't work, or is damaged. This is a good source for "donor" parts.

Sometimes, it seem more expensive, but keep in mind that the parts, you do not use, can sold to others, recovering some of the cost.

[FarmBoy]

Where in California are your capless pens located. I know a guy with a huge box of Esterbrooks.

 

Noteworthy is that a cap may end up costing you as much as a whole unrestored pen.

[AltecGreen]

Just to add to Farmboy's comment. The general rule in vintage pens is that "the one that has the cap wins".

[FarmBoy]

Just to add to Farmboy's comment. The general rule in vintage pens is that "the one that has the cap wins".

Is it true I once paid 3 figures for a cap?

[AltecGreen]

Is it true I once paid 3 figures for a cap?

I thought it was 4 figures.

[FarmBoy]

I thought it was 4 figures.

Don't tell him, he doesn't need to know what he did.

[Rodney126]

I'm in Paso Robles, about 4 hours south of SFO on the 101.

 

Interesting thing about caps being as much as whole pens because I have 4 random caps that I was going to start a game of guess the pen with. Although the Venus cap works well on my black J Estie (one I'm missing a cap for). Then it occurred to me that I'm not sure what pen goes with what each cap. Oh well.

 

Because I think every Topic should have a picture, here are the pictures of my caps...just because.

 

FarmBoy: if your friend is part of the network, he can private message me if he wants to part with some good caps/pens.

 

(l to r: Venus, Weaver, Pacific (with a P encircled with two branches of something), Federal (with USA horizontally across the top of the clip-small))