How Do I Attach A Nib To My Dip Pen?

[victorianlady]

I recently bought a sterling silver dip pen from a junk dealer. I was told that all it needed was a nib but I haven't been able to find one that will attach to it. I'm beginning to wonder if there is another piece missing, such as a nib holder. Can someone please tell me from the attached pictures if I am missing a piece and, if so, where I might be able to find one (preferably sterling silver also). If not, please let me know how to determine what size nib I need and how to attach it. Any help in making this a complete piece would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, Beth!

[jbb]

It doesn't look like you're missing anything. A nib should slide in to the open end of the holder often between two pieces of metal. Nibs come in a variety of sizes. I don't know if there are sterling silver nibs (I've never seen them) but I've got some that are silver alloy.

 

What's the diameter of your holder? They made very skinny dip pen holders in the later 19th century and they require very small nibs.

 

Welcome to FPN.

Edited January 2, 2013 by jbb

[victorianlady]

It doesn't look like you're missing anything. A nib should slide in to the open end of the holder often between two pieces of metal. Nibs come in a variety of sizes. I don't know if there are sterling silver nibs (I've never seen them) but I've got some that are silver alloy.

 

What's the diameter of your holder? They made very skinny dip pen holders in the later 19th century and they require very small nibs.

 

Welcome to FPN.

 

The end of the holder measures 1/4". I guess I'm still a little unclear as to how a nib it attaches to the holder. I went to an antique store and found a couple of nibs but I couldn't get any of them to even remotely attach. Are you saying that the nib should attach somehow to the two groves on either side of the open end? I don't see two pieces of metal that it can slide through. Thanks for your help!

[jbb]

Maybe this picture will help.

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8493/8337339743_6a5e67c5ea_o.jpg

[victorianlady]

Maybe this picture will help.

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8493/8337339743_6a5e67c5ea_o.jpg

 

I see what you are saying now. I don't seem to have the extra piece of metal that the nib slides into, which is strange because it doesn't seem there is anything broken off. That area of the tip of the holder is completely smooth. Beautiful pens, by the way.

[jbb]

It's still possible that a nib will hold in place once you slide it in. You just need some nibs of the appropriate size. If your holder is 1/4" across at the opening that is the same as mine with the claw-looking end so you should be able to find nibs that fit. (My middle holder is even skinnier and very hard to find nibs for. )

 

Just to give you some point of reference, my picture shows some of the range in nibs sizes and types.

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7046/6920396963_f158d74281_o.jpg

[jbb]

On the open end of your holder is it possible that the opening to slide a nib into has collasped so the two parts are now together? Can you photograph that view?

[victorianlady]

I will look closer at the end of the holder when I get home tonight to see if that is what happened and will post a picture. Can you tell me what size nib you use in the pen with the claw looking end? I'm very new to the world of dip pens, so I don't even know what the different sizes are. Thanks so much again for your help!

[jbb]

I will look closer at the end of the holder when I get home tonight to see if that is what happened and will post a picture. Can you tell me what size nib you use in the pen with the claw looking end? I'm very new to the world of dip pens, so I don't even know what the different sizes are. Thanks so much again for your help!

The nib I have in the claw dip pen is 1-1/8" long x 3/16" wide. It's imprinted Specncerian No. 1 Ivison Phinney -- New York. There are gazillions of nibs out there in the world. If you want to PM me with a mailing address I'll send you this one for free.

Edited January 3, 2013 by jbb