Help And Advice On Repairing These Swans (Can They Be Repaired?)

February 6, 2016

I was delighted to purchase these two Mabie Todd swan pens on eBay. Doing so, I understood that they were not whole. At the very least I would get another gold over feed out of this. But I am wondering if there is a way to restore/repair these to working condition?

Ok. So let's start with the longer/full sized pen. It came with the forward part of the section which seems to have been broken off of the barrel, the cap, and barrel with most of the ebonite interior within. With the section was the nib, which I was surprised to find was 18karat, a very small feed (which I'm assuming was longer, but broke with the section; though I've not seen a swan feed that looks like this before), and a gold over feed. I was most excited about this pen, because it is what I've been seeking for some time. (As seen in an advertisement around Christmas of 1911 I think?) my only indication as to what model it is was pressed into the section. "Swan" 2 C. Luckily I have an inksight swan which is also a 2 C. The cap uses the accepts those threads without feeling incorrect and is very securely screwed on. And the barrel seems to be the correct length when side by side and capped. The section shapes are also identical, though it should be noted that the nib,feed, and over feed from the partial section that came with this pen does not fit within the section of the inksight swan.

As for the smaller pen, it is just a tad shorter than my Swan B2. The threads don't seem to line up well either, and the section of the B2 is too long and the gold cap does not have a chance to engage the threads with it in place. The small pen was purchased as only a cap and barrel, though there is still the ebonite interior of the barrel. (And I'm assuming the inner caps of both the long and short pen are still intact).

What I hope is that there is a hope that these two will be useable pens again. (Hopefully with not too much money spent in the process). The first thing that comes to mind is to somehow remove the ebonite within the gold (let's just focus on the long pen for now) and then either have a new insert made or cannibalize a 2 C which has a broken cap or is sold as parts/missing a cap. If the second route (cannibalizing) is taken, to heat the barrel and try to slip the filigree/overlay back onto it (as to how to keep it in place securely once this is accomplished, I have no idea).

Any advice/help/opinions/comments would be most appreciated. Thank you for your time

February 6, 2016

Hi Lelouch! Exciting finds you have there.

I understand why you posted in repair (logical).

Posting your inquiry in the Mabie Todd research section may get more direct notice.

Please do share The After photos" too : )

oops, just went there to grab a link for you and ta-da, you've already posted lol

a moderator might want to delete my useless ; ) post.

Edited February 6, 2016 by pen2paper

February 6, 2016

Hi Lelouch! Exciting finds you have there.

I understand why you posted in repair (logical).
Posting your inquiry in the Mabie Todd research section may get more direct notice.
Please do share The After photos" too : )

oops, just went there to grab a link for you and ta-da, you've already posted lol
a moderator might want to delete my useless ; ) post.

I had done so earlier, yet I have received no replied (posted in January if I remember correctly). And thank you, I was terribly excited when I found them as well.