Vac Golden Web variation, protype?

[hermesrouge]

I saw an unusual Golden Web Vacumatic on eBay, and was curious if anyone might know what it is….I thought some of you might find it interesting to see too.

 

Sadly, I bid, but did not win…☹️Congrats to anyone who did - very cool pen!

[Ron Z]

I think that you should be glad that you didn't win the auction.  That looks more like the celluloid degrading and going transparent than an intentional design.  It also looks like the iridium is missing on the nib.

[hermesrouge]

Oh, gosh, that makes sense…And I never even thought of it! The stripes looked so regular, it seemed a design. Thank you so much!

[VacNut]

You can search the forum for more information on this type of fading.

The cap periodically is available without the barrel, but not often. 
The fading usually happens at the top of the cap

[FarmBoy]

Fading = decomposition. 
 

And usually on Canadian pens. 

[VacNut]

I haven’t done a complete survey, but it seems the Canadian Pens are a 2:1 ratio to American Pens. There are definitely more Canadian Pens in the UK and EU

[FarmBoy]

7 hours ago, VacNut said:

There are definitely more Canadian Pens in the EK and EU.

 

as expected. 

[Ron Z]

On 8/5/2023 at 3:21 PM, VacNut said:

The cap periodically is available without the barrel, but not often. 

 

Hence the phrase, "He who owns the cap owns the pen."

[VacNut]

I would say this is one vac where there are more barrels than caps out in the world. Except for the Ripley, there is usually a surplus of caps and clips for most Vacumatics. 

[hermesrouge]

I’m so grateful for all the wisdom on this board!!  Thank you so much.

[VacNut]

Wisdom? 
I wouldn’t go that far. We mostly know trivia. 
BTW, a good Golden Web is about $250 at a good pen show. A little more if it is functional. I wouldn’t chase the auctions for much higher than that. A decent cap is about $80-$100.
They aren’t THAT uncommon. It is one of my favorite Vacs, though.