Hot tea is hot... A tale of celluloid and woe...

[pianopenpal]

I found a lovely late Admiral in carmine celluloid as this year's birthday indulgence to myself. It arrived in the mail, ready to be lovingly dismantled and put in order again. I did everything I was supposed to: Gently heated the barrel at the threads, took my time when the section didn't want to budge initially, and got it off without any incident. Inside, the pen was clean! No rust, no crumbling pressure bar, very little ink residue. The old sac was a bit leathery, in no way difficult to remove from the section. For fun, I even rehydrated the pile of ink dust that fell out to try in a dip pen. (Surprise, surprise, it was Sheaffer Blue-Black...) I ran the section in the ultrasonic, got the nib and feed lined up again, and gave the trim and pen body a rub down with a jewelry cloth. It was ready for the new sac! Couldn't have been an easier pen to clean up. 😄

 

Cut to this morning. I was showing off my handiwork to my other half (who doesn't share the same enthusiasm), and upon reaching to take the pen back, I unwittingly dropped it straight into my just poured cup of hot water for tea, because of course. I snatched it out and ran for the sink, but the damage was done... It had shrunk. The lever works fine, and I'm able to drop the old sac in and out with no issue, so it will be functional once my order of sacs comes, but it definitely doesn't post as well. I'm guessing this isn't salvageable. Am I doomed to stalking the eBay or does anyone have advice on repair (this seems unlikely) or sourcing a barrel? 🫠

 

[inkstainedruth]

Oh no!  I JUST saw the photo of the pen in another thread and was drooling over how pretty it was.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[pianopenpal]

14 minutes ago, inkstainedruth said:

Oh no!  I JUST saw the photo of the pen in another thread and was drooling over how pretty it was.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

I know, I love the carmine... Mildly distraught. I hadn't even had the pen a full day and it literally slipped through my fingers...! At least it will write until I find a barrel, though.

 

I have another carmine Admiral waiting for repair, but it's a Balance vac-fill, which doesn't help in the slightest with this one! 🤪 (I think while I probably CAN replace the seals, etc. in that one, it might be wise to send it out or practice on some beaters first...)