Coin-fillers - a example and some information

[antoniosz]

A Coin-Filler from the early 20th century

 

Sheaffer patented the lever filler in 1908. Around 1910 the Weidlich company patented the matchstick filler. A small rod mounted on the pen or a common matchstick or the tip of a pencil could press the pressure bar through a hole in the side of the barrel. Lewis Waterman in an attempt to compete with the winning lever filler patent of Sheaffer developed the coin-filler. A slot in the barrel of the pen allowed a coin to deflate the rubber sac, a similar idea to the matchstick filler.

 

The pen below is a no-name coin-filler presumably between 1910-1925.

 

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b325/azavalia/coin1.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b325/azavalia/coin2.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b325/azavalia/coin3.jpg

Incidentally, I thought about posting this pen for sale , but I started playing with it and changed my mind So at the end it became an article here

 

Modern coin fillers do exist: see for example the Marlen Aureo 2002

 

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b325/azavalia/marlen-Aureo-2002.jpg

 

The ad below is an early Waterman's ad of coin-fillers (or pocket self fillers as they called them).

 

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b325/azavalia/image1.jpg

 

This link points to an article with relevant information on Waterman Coin-fillers by M. Fultz

 

If you have more information about this type of pens please post here (photos, patents etc.)

Edited March 21, 2007 by antoniosz

[rhr]

The Weidlich & Simpson matchstick filler patent no. 766,560 dates to August 1904. Curiously, they used the name "Simplofiller" before Mont Blanc used it.

 

George.

 

:ph34r:

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v71/rhrpen/simplofiller.jpg

[ElaineB]

Very cool! Thanks to you both for the illustrations and information. (AZ, your penmanship and drawing abilities are a never-ending source pleasure for me!)

 

ElaineB

[zxc]

Yeah I'd echo that, your handwriting and drawing skills are amazing ^_^. Nice and informative, I think it adds a little bit extra to a pen if theres an interesting fill mechanism

[antoniosz]

Thanks, ElaineB and zxc.

[Garageboy]

Whoa, VERY nice. So instead of a lever, you insert coin

[Guest Denis Richard]

I completely missed that thread. Thanks Antonios !

 

Denis.

 

PS: You have to come to the SF Show and give me a crash course in Copperplate

[southpaw]

I missed this one too, somehow. Thanks for the neat info AZ. I echo the comments on your hand and drawing abilities. Always a joy to see both. Thanks again.

[antoniosz]

Thanks Denis/sothhpaw/garageboy.

Denis sorry but SF is out of reach ... but if you make it to Phila in January for our show (or any time) we can arrange it. I give lessons you bring the wine and cheese

[antoniosz]

To revive this old thread, I have in my hands a coin-filler from the Star company of Cincinnatti which a cap that says patented on July 5, 1904. I am not 100% that the cap belongs to the pen (the pattern is identical but the degree of wear is not the same). If for a second we assume that it is correct, does this pattent refer to a coin-filler? I looked into US patent office and patents from 763948 to 764540 were issued on July 5, 1904. I went through 763,965 but this is painful. Does anybody know which patent this cap is refering to?

 

As we learned from RHR (see posting above) there is a patent for matchstick fillers from the Weidlich & Simpson company - patent no. 766,560 (August 1904). Weidlich folded into Star in 1921 (please correct me if I am wrong). I am not sure if and how all these are connected by if you have any info I would appreciate it receiving it.

[Oso]

What a great diagram of an interesting pen. I have seen pictures of coin fillers, but nothing with the detail of your drawing. Could you, or any other readers, tell me if there is anything special about the sac replacement? Does it take standard ink sacs?

[Dillo]

What a great diagram of an interesting pen. I have seen pictures of coin fillers, but nothing with the detail of your drawing. Could you, or any other readers, tell me if there is anything special about the sac replacement? Does it take standard ink sacs?

Hi,

 

Sure!

 

Dillon

[antoniosz]

OK with the help of some people on Zoss we figured out that the patent in question is August Eberstein's patent 764,227 for the invention of the inner cap. Unfortunately unrelated to the coin filler

 

Oso, thanks for your kind words. As Dillo said, a coin filler uses same sacs as a regular lever filler (in fact I find them more convinient that the level fillers since I have short nails )

[philm]

To pick up on antoniosz' great coin filler thread, here is one I picked up and restored recently. It writes well and all I had to do was clean up the nib (an original Banker) and install a new sac.

 

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y50/munsonhsr/dcp_3093a.jpg

 

and you can see the coin slot in this second picture:

 

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y50/munsonhsr/dcp_3089a.jpg

[JRodriguez]

Neat pen! Thanks for adding this. I'd never seen one of these before.

[philm]

Here is another matchstick filler to add to antoniosz's great post. The only picture I have of it is with the coin filler I posted above. Sorry for the duplication.

 

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y50/munsonhsr/DSC_0002copy.jpg

[PaulLeMay]

Just found this old thread. To add my 2¢ I found this old Bankers coin filler a few years back. The nib is a #2 Bankers 14k, and the pen says "Bankers Pen Co 1 Madison Ave New York"

[amh210]

Sometimes a coin or match or paper clip can be used on a lever-fill pen with a missing/broken lever. I wonder if this is how the idea developed.

 

Andy

[Dennis B]

Sometimes a coin or match or paper clip can be used on a lever-fill pen with a missing/broken lever. I wonder if this is how the idea developed.

 

Andy

Andy,

 

At least in the case of Waterman, the Coin Filler came before the Lever Filler. Right before the Coin Filler was the 1XSF Sleeve or Thumb Filler. Here's a pic of a Waterman BCHR 12V PSF Coin Filler of mine.

 

http://www.parkvillepen.com/images/waterman/w12vpsf-cf.jpg

 

Only one other Coin Filler here and that's a no name BCHR that came in a Lakeside box. The pen is unmarked as to maker. The pressure bar is the Duryea patent.

 

http://www.parkvillepen.com/images/otherhr/nonamecfmulti.jpg

 

Dennis B

[DocNib]

Good evening gang!

I'm just getting back on FPN now and have some pics to add to this coin filler/matchstick filler funfest. Got some different ones than whats been shown.

 

From left to right:

SOLAR, BHR with nib imprinted BON TON 14K

EAGLE, Brass with gold-plated nib

MARVEL, Enameled Brass with gold-plated nib (looks like it was made by Eagle for them!)

 

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p113/DocNib2006/Coinfillers2.jpg

 

Got some more but will have to do some scans along with a few matchstick filler pens.

ENJOY!

DOC