Looking for replacement nibs for my Waterman 515 England #5

[thebruce]

Hi - my Waterman 515 was the first pen i restored and got me into vintage fountain pens. I now have a small fleet but always look fondly on the Waterman. However...while i was able to restore it nicely, i was a newb on nib tuning and bad things happened. In an attempt to smooth out what looks like it had been an architect grind, i went too far and now its a broad without much nib material left...  

 

 

I do love the feel of the waterman nib and pen and would like to get it back into daily use. I've been searching for ways to fix it. The easiest seemed to be finding a donor pen or nib but im not totally sure whats compatible with the 515, or what the nib sizes and types are for vintage watermans. Mine is a "England 5". Iv'e seen others marked W5, W3, W2, NW3, etc. 

Appreciate any of the Waterman pros pointing me in the right direction. Thanks! 

[GlenV]

I don't consider myself a pro, but Vintage Fountain Pens Parker 51 Duofolds Waterman Mont Blanc - Five Star Pens    has been soooo good to me for parts.. 

they are very nice too and will answer questions you have.

[thebruce]

2 hours ago, GlenV said:

I don't consider myself a pro, but Vintage Fountain Pens Parker 51 Duofolds Waterman Mont Blanc - Five Star Pens    has been soooo good to me for parts.. 

they are very nice too and will answer questions you have.

thanks! i actually just ran across them as well and sent them a note. they go back to me immediately but unfortunately didnt have any #5 nibs but said they would reach out if they found some. 

 

 

[thebruce]

@northlodge - thanks for the reminder on this post. I was able to buy another 515 with a #5 nib on an ebay auction for like $50. Cheaper than sending the nib out to be retipped. There are virtually no 515s in the US so i had to purchase from Ebay UK. They did send me a frankenpen with a cap from another waterman, possibly the wrong feed and section, but it was a #5 nib and correct barrel, and thats i wanted anyway. 

 

I swapped nibs and it writes wonderfully! It's a fine tip but super smooth and bouncy. The pen is quickly becoming one of my favorites and im not sure why these old Watermans dont get more attention for their nibs. 

 

(I attached pics of the frankenpen. The cap clip is missing some of the detailing on my original 515 and would close in 1.5 turns vs 3 turns for my original cap.  The feed was smaller and smooth, without the fins from my other 515. As a result the nib sat much father in the section. ) 

[swimminginink]

Based on the clip & cap band  I would assess both caps are 515 examples?

 

The design differences are reflective of the time of production - the one shown in the bottom picture was the company preparing the shift towards the new 'post war production' W2,W3,W5 etc. (The other being the first post WW2 offering)