Identifying Eyedropper?

[Pendarion]

I'm wondering if anyone here can help me identify this eyedropper? Over and under feed and the feed has "MT & Co Ltd", which I understand means it's a later version, post 1917? (Going from memory, that might be wrong).

 

As you can see, it's not in great condition (aesthetically), but I bought it to use, so don't mind.

 

It was bought cheaply because the seller thought the cap and barrel might belong to another pen entirely as seller could see no markings on anything apart from the nib.

 

I could see from the online listing that the cap was clearly not MT.  And thought it's fine as a spare cap/barrel might turn up at some point, I was more interested in seeing an over and under feed for myself. But when it got to me, using my magnifiers and good light, it's apparent the section/barrel are indeed original to the pen as the Swan imprint is very, very faint but just legible and it fits to the section in a way that looks entirely ink-tight. So I was pleased about that.

 

It was also evident under the magnifiers and light, that it once had chasing, and wasn't just a plain pen, as it first appears. The herringbone/chevrons are now just ghosts of themselves. This seems to be an extremely well worn and very much loved pen. Looks like it was used regularly for decades.

 

Cap (slip-on, as expected)  has no imprint or branding whatsoever and I realised, under the magnifier, that what I thought was a narrow gold band is in fact the edge of an internal brass shim and it looks "homemade" inside the cap, where the shim (I think) has been added. It looks like it was shimmed as, when the original Swan cap broke, the owner loved the pen so much they made another slightly larger pen's cap fit. It's so tight that it's damaged/marked the pen's body but as it's part of its history I don't mind.

 

Inside the pen appears intact and the silver wire is still present, if a little bent.

 

So I'd love to source an original replacement cap for this pen. My problem is, I have no numbers or lettering anywhere, even visible using magnifiers, on this pen to identify the model so I am not sure of the model and to find a spare cap - however long that might take me - I do need to know which model it is. 

 

It looks to me - a total MT neophyte - like a 1500. But is it? Any ideas gratefully received.

 

[Greenie]

If the cap fits well, just enjoy the pen!  Caps are not generally replaceable with "correct" caps, as these are the most commonly broken or lost parts.  

[VacNut]

1 hour ago, Greenie said:

If the cap fits well, just enjoy the pen!  Caps are not generally replaceable with "correct" caps, as these are the most commonly broken or lost parts.  

Exactly. The pen has had a long history. Even if you found the “correct” cap it would likely not match the wear, color, or pattern of your pen. A correct replacement that doesn’t match the rest of the pen will look as out of place as the current cap.

Enjoy your find

[GlenV]

Looks like a cool old well worn pen, a piece of history to enjoy.  I have pens in this category and enjoy them like you the feed system is cool, I think may be a 1500 but I only have a couple Swan pens, so someone else would likely know.  It may have had a couple thin gold bands in the past looking at the picture. ( I like to make caps on my lathe and others around your area probably do too, if the brass scratches the pen too much a smooth hard rubber cap is much easier to make than a chased cap!)