Onoto The Pen De La Rue

[Bryn]

Hi

 

New to the network, and looking for some pointers on a problem I have. I have a Onoto The Pen De La Rue that I am particularly fond of. It gets a lot of use and unfortunately that’s the source of my problem. Whilst out with it recently the cap fell off unnoticed and is now lost somewhere in Manchester. Before giving the pen up completely I want to explore finding a replacement cap.

 

Is this a lost cause or does anyone know of a dealer that might have such spares etc. I’ve attached a photo. Appreciate your views.

[Beechwood]

Firstly, my sympathies. Losing a cap for such a pen is very difficult.

 

Finding a replacement when the pattern is so unusual and caps are the first thing to be cracked or lost is, as you say, possibly a lost cause.

 

The only possible suggestion I can make is to scour eBay but that might mean buying a complete pen.

 

You might want to consider whether you would accept a black cap, possibly easier to find, for your pen.

 

Best of luck. 

[Paul-in-SF]

Finding such a cap for this pen is probably easier in the UK, where I gather you are, than anywhere else. I would be trawling around the vintage pen dealers and hobbyists there, checking for a local pen club, and going to a pen show or two, and getting the word out. The pen community is usually very supportive in matters like this.

 

One alternative: it is possible these days (for someone who has the equipment and knows how) to manufacture a replacement cap in black on a 3D printer, so that you can at least keep your nib from drying out. I had that done for me once, for a fairly old and unusual pen that I bought just because I was interested in it, and found that it wrote quite well, but it didn't have a cap. I posted about it here, and someone messaged me that they would like to try to make a cap, and after a couple of tries I got a cap that fits very well. He didn't charge much because he was interested in honing his skills. Maybe consider this sort of thing as a last resort. 

 

Good luck. 

[Bryn]

Many thanks for the advice

[VacNut]

There are several very reputable pen technicians on this forum from the UK. It may take a bit of time, but you will likely find a cap. Whether the cost of the cap is worthwhile to you is another matter. 
Unless there is sentimental value in the pen, you may consider installing the nib in another ONOTO pen and continue on another journey with the pen.

[VacNut]

https://peelpenshop.com/products/a2047
 

Did the cap look like this pen?

[Bryn]

Yes it does. But blue

[Bryn]

This is it in it’s capped state…colour of photos is a bit washed out.

 

[VacNut]

I think there is hope for a replacement cap or pen.

[Bryn]

Thanks @VacNut for the optimism. There’s a few fountain pen shows as possible sources, one in my nearest city, Chester, in 2025.

[Beechwood]

13 minutes ago, Bryn said:

Thanks @VacNut for the optimism. There’s a few fountain pen shows as possible sources, one in my nearest city, Chester, in 2025.

 

Best of Luck, I guess that you have been in touch with everywhere that you visited in Manchester, just in case someone found the cap and handed it in.

 

There is a company that makes and retails Onoto parts, seals and the like. I don't think that there is a chance that they will have a suitable cap but as a company that deals with Onoto restorers they might just know of someone who can help

 

https://www.custompenparts.co.uk/gb/10-onoto

 

 

[Inkyways]

Finding a cap that fit the pen ( for his vintage ) is a mission Impossible. In your place I might use this nib for another De La Rue Pen instead.

Example ...It is like finding a cap for a Swan Marie Todds pen out of hundreds pens you have .

They never fits in anyway or the threads are all different or the nib is longer so it it a damaging in a replacement cap length etc. etc. It is the same story for certain  vintage Waterman's except for the Red Ripple HR body and caps.

I am not here to discourage you  but give some facts I found in my pen journey. If this pen has a special series edition there are chance to find a cap from under that category pen. Most of these ONOTO DE LA RUE PEN has a loose line of productions.

There is a several pens as piston rod mechanism and some self liver style pens. and some 1000 series slim  Pens.   

By the way I have a small collection of Onoto pens some are to be fixed in some way as your pen.

They are great pens and I have bought some for pens foe spare parts as the the Nibs are excellent. So good luck in finding a way to fix the pen.

[VacNut]

Contact Erik on this forum. He has contacts in and out of the UK that may help.

 

I am not familiar with the Peel Pen Shop, but they may have had the blue version earlier this year.

 

https://peelpenshop.com/products/a2048

 

It was quite costly.

 

Mark at Vintagefountainpens has an ONOTO listed in green.

 

https://www.vintagefountainpens.co.uk/ourshop/prod_6422749-8568-Onoto-The-Pen-No6233-in-Green-Marble-Superb-Fine-Semi-Flex-FIVE-STAR-Nib.html

 

He is a great resource. He also repairs and sells parts.

 

Good luck.