Generic Syringe Filler

[tonybelding]

Looky what arrived in this morning's mail. . .

 

http://zobeid.zapto.org/image/pens/syringe_filler/greeeneinn.jpeghttp://zobeid.zapto.org/image/pens/syringe_filler/greener.jpeg

http://zobeid.zapto.org/image/pens/syringe_filler/greeneside.jpeghttp://zobeid.zapto.org/image/pens/syringe_filler/greenetwoo.jpeg

 

Description from eBay: "As pictured is a fancy old Green fountain pen . Its 4-3/4 " long closed It has a nib imprinted Silver Palladium Alloy USA. ..Im not sure how this pen is filled. Look at the picture. Is that some kind of ink cartridge? Pen is in Very good physical condition. No name on barrel or pocket clip. Pocket clip has imprint Made in USA Nice colorful pen for your collection. Bid Now! Buyer will agree to pay $1.50 S&H in the USA."

 

I snagged it for $7.95.

 

I don't usually delve into this category of pens, but this one caught my attention because. . . 1. It seemed to be in pretty decent shape. 2. Nice color and pearly swirls! 3. Palladium nib? My only experience with those has been in Sheaffers. 4. I never had a syringe filler before.

 

It's surprisingly well-preserved. The plastic is just a bit rough in spots, but mostly looks good. The clip has a lot of finish gone from it -- I reckon it originally had a micron-thin layer of gold, just enough to make it look good in the store!

 

Can anybody take a guess as to its age? Can you suggest a decade, even? It's kind of funny to get a pen so cheap that the company didn't even bother to put their name on it.

 

Anyhow, I soaked a bunch of old blue-black ink out of it, and checked the syringe function. Hmm. . . It moves, but makes a sort of squeaky-rubber sound. The piston seal isn't 100%, but it's good enough to fill the pen and use it. The nib is a bit dry, I have to apply a little pressure to get the ink flowing, but that's an easy fix. I inked it with Noodler's Eel Cactus Fruit, thinking that might help lubricate and rejuvenate the seal a bit (plus I really like that color).

 

I think I got my money's worth.

Edited November 12, 2010 by tonybelding

[Bo Bo Olson]

'30's.

Late '30's, more than likely.

Edited November 12, 2010 by Bo Bo Olson

[rwilsonedn]

sweet-looking pen. The piston may or may not become more leaky as the old ink dissolves away over a filling or two. Similarly, the dry writing might benefit from a good long soak and repeated flushing, as there was probably quite a lot of ink dried in the feed.

I've read that many second-tier vendors went to piston-fillers when rubber for sacs became scarce during the Second World War, but I don't know if this is entirely accurate.

ron