Waterman Ideal 72 Dip Pen?

[edcox86]

Hi all,

 

I've recently purchased what I believe to be a Waterman Ideal Fountain Pen No.72 (as this is what it says on the end of the pen). However when doing a little bit of research this pen is an eyedropper.

 

As per https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/166965-waterman-72-12-bhr-eyedropper/

 

 

On the barrel of my pen is written:

 

PAT D.1884 May 23,1899

Waterman's Ideal Fountain Pen

Penny USA Aug 4-19 (and then it's either 03 or 23 as it's worn away).

 

I ran it under the cold tap to wash off the dry ink and it's working like a charm.

 

The problem I'm having is unscrewing the base, as I'm assuming I will need to to refill the ink. It looks like it's not meant to unscrew and certainty doesn't want to if it is.

 

Is there a model 72 which is a dip pen...and if not is there a way to loosen it up a bit to manage to unscrew it? I've uploaded a few pictures; however my camera's not great.

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Many thanks,

Ed

 

http://s22.postimg.org/6kw5h6ycx/IMG_20140819_205630.jpghttp://s27.postimg.org/3megrrshv/IMG_20140819_205306.jpg

[Uncle Red]

The 72 is always an eyedropper. They're nice pens; I have a 72, a 72 1/2 and a 472 1/2 v. The section unscrews from the barrel. It may have dried ink in the threads, be patient. Careful application of hot dry air may help but warm the pen slowly.

BTW, the last patent date is 1903, it's the patent for the feed. Your pen was made after the code for the models changed in 1917.

[Left FPN]

I came across this in another Forum. Scroll down to the Waterman Catalogues where you (and others) will find much valuable information on early pen types and the numbering system.

 

The 1918 catalogue, page 62, shows a special tool called the 'Opener' for unscrewing the point section. But as UR says yours may have years of drier ink coming into play.

 

http://www.restorersart.com/public-domain-pen-documents-now-online/

[edcox86]

Thank you both so much for your help and taking time to reply. I'll check out the information in the link and will try the hot air approach.

 

Many thanks,

Ed

[ac12]

I would first try soaking the pen, nib down in a narrow glass, water up to just a bit above the section/barrel joint, probably to the top of the threads. The idea is to try to dissolve the ink. Without an ultrasonic cleaner, soaking will take a LONG time. The pen has had decades of headstart over you to get dried up, so be patient.

[Ernst Bitterman]

I've also used an insulin syringe to inject water (very slowly) through the breather hole of the point. Getting some dampness inside the barrel can also help freeing an ink-cemented section.

[ac12]

Just get an ultrasonic cleaner (USC), they are not that expensive, then you have that to clean your other pens.

I've used mine MANY MANY times, and it will clean out stuff that amazes me.

There is a thread on selecting the proper USC.