Unusual 'pen'

[Scrawler]

Looks similar to a leather sewing tool. I wonder how this seller knows it's Waterman, I don't see it marked anywhere ... am I missing it???

Yes a foot from an industrial leather sewing machine. The kind used for making brief cases.

[professionaldilettante]

Looks similar to a leather sewing tool. I wonder how this seller knows it's Waterman, I don't see it marked anywhere ... am I missing it???

Yes a foot from an industrial leather sewing machine. The kind used for making brief cases.

I thought so. There is a screw that seems to set a guide height for how far the needle can go.

[watch_art]

I emailed the seller. Told it is a sewing needle.

[Scrawler]

I emailed the seller. Told it is a sewing needle.

So did I

Edited March 30, 2012 by Scrawler

[watch_art]

:roflmho: Oh well.

[terminal]

ALmost tempted to notify eBay

[andyguyuk]

I am the seller of this item.

 

Firstly, I have only just got round to replying to messages as I have been busy. It's a ten day auction and it has only been listed for a day so I firstly apologise if that seemed like I was ignoring you.

 

Secondly, I have no knowledge of pens etc. I was going on information of one previously sold on ebay.

 

http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/1922-waterman-fountain-pen

 

I also thought it unusual to be a pen but the other version sold came with instructions on how to use the item as a pen so I obviously thought this would be correct as I had no reason to doubt it.

 

Lastly, I'd like to thank the people from this forum who emailed me and tried to help me out with working out what it was, as opposed to the ones who decided to email me to be quite rude and sarcastic for no reason.

 

And to the similar people on this forum, I quite clearly explained that I had no knowledge of the item. We all make mistakes and I am sorry if my listing offended you in any way.

 

Andy

[ethernautrix]

Aw... Andy, I hope that the helpful e-mails outnumbered the rude and sarcastic ones.

 

There really is quite a large number of kind people here. I'm sure the sarcastic ones were trying to be funny (unless they weren't trying, in which case, they're easy to ignore).

 

If you want to learn about fountain pens, this is the place. Actually, this is the place to learn about many things, since there are many members knowledgeable on many, many subjects. I hope the rudeness doesn't sour you on our little nuthouse in the ether

 

Lisa

Edited March 30, 2012 by ethernautrix

[Scrawler]

Hi Andy, welcome to FPN. I am sorry if some of the messages you got seemed rude. I would echo Lisa's comment. We here love our pens and I am prepared to bet that a large portion of pen buyers on ebay live in here. We are more than happy to share our knowledge with you.

[USMCMom]

Andy, I'm sorry that you received any type of message that was rude. Our members are not usually like that, but are helpful and generous with their knowledge in various areas. You did nothing wrong ... in my opinion. I'm glad you've joined us!! We alllll make mistakes. Geez, could I tell you about some of mine having to do with pens ... like setting one on fire!! :embarrassed_smile: We all were new at something at one time or another.

Edited March 30, 2012 by USMCMom

[Left FPN]

The interesting point here is that the one that sold in 2006 had instructions on how to assemble and use it. Now that would have had clear descriptions and diagrams to boot. Maybe there IS more to this than meets the eye.

[terminal]

...well I'm kinda sarcastic, but I didn't email you

 

Nor did I report you!

 

I'm sorry if any of the emails were nasty, and I certainly appreciate the fact you're an honest seller who cares.

[secrep]

Just a thought --

 

Could this be a pen from some sort of recording device? Perhaps something on the order of a recording barograph or seismometer?

 

Just submitted for fwiw . . . .

[Left FPN]

I am the seller of this item.

 

Firstly, I have only just got round to replying to messages as I have been busy. It's a ten day auction and it has only been listed for a day so I firstly apologise if that seemed like I was ignoring you.

 

Secondly, I have no knowledge of pens etc. I was going on information of one previously sold on ebay.

 

http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/1922-waterman-fountain-pen

 

I also thought it unusual to be a pen but the other version sold came with instructions on how to use the item as a pen so I obviously thought this would be correct as I had no reason to doubt it.

 

Lastly, I'd like to thank the people from this forum who emailed me and tried to help me out with working out what it was, as opposed to the ones who decided to email me to be quite rude and sarcastic for no reason.

 

And to the similar people on this forum, I quite clearly explained that I had no knowledge of the item. We all make mistakes and I am sorry if my listing offended you in any way.

 

Andy

 

 

Please can you tell us some sizes ie overall length, 'needle' length, 'needle' diameter, 'barrel' diameter etc

[Uncle Red]

What sold in 20056 was a waterman box and instructions and some unrelated things.

[Procyon]

What sold in 20056 was a waterman box and instructions and some unrelated things.

 

 

 

Exactly, somebody got hold of a sewing machine needle which had been stored in a Waterman's pen box - perhaps at an estate sale. Since the seller didn't know anything about pens, sewing machines, or probably anything else, it was put up for sale on eBay.

[Left FPN]

As a fellow limey, Andy, Andy, Andy...

 

1. In the true term of things it is not a fountain pen. (from studying the 2006 disassembled unit). The description is therefore subjective in the eyes of ebay rules.

2. When stone age man invented the knapped flint cutting tool he could at least hold it comfortably in his hand. If he were alive in 1922 and designing pens he would have stood a better chance of getting it ergonomically right than the inventor of this 'pen'.

3. Look at pens designed in the late 1800's early 1900's. Even a non expert would know that this one, designed in 1922, would have a limited market. A least he did not crib from the others.

It's akin to making and patenting this now...as a vacuum cleaner.

Luckily you would not be able to fit one of these in a Dyson box because in 70 years time who knows what might happen.

4. Research and finding only one other....well let's hope medical research does not use that principle.

5. I asked Mrs Force what she thought of the 'pen' and she said "it's a sewing needle". Now she is a needlemeister.

 

I think 5. convinced me.

 

I also think you should have commenced the auction tomorrow...APRIL 1st

Edited March 31, 2012 by Force

[andyguyuk]

Thanks for all your help on this.

 

I will try and research further as much as I can.

 

Just to also note, i will be pulling the auction before it ends, I am just keeping it on for a few days to see if i get any other info coming through.

 

It would be quite funny if i listed this as a sewing needle and then a whole load of sewing collectors told me it was a pen :-)

 

Andy

[Left FPN]

I now know what it is and as an Engineer it should have come to me much sooner.

 

It is a sewing machine needle sharpening fixture. A hand tool into which a needle can be held for sharpening.

 

The adjustable hoop (if I can call it that) can be set further down than shown to support the needle as the user pushes it onto a sharpening stone.

 

Also without it to hand I think it has been assembled incorrectly. The knurled nut should be on the outside and flat nut inside. But without it this is just my quess looking at the assembly. Yes, just looked again at the one sold in 2006. I would say the needles were made for a particular make of machine, maybe for leather or sail making.

Edited March 31, 2012 by Force

[Scrawler]

I can tell you with absolute certainty that this is an embroidery needle invented by Francis H Webster.