11 replies to this topic

[Greg Minuskin]

Hi folks!
 

Long time since I have been on this site; I am out and about finding great pens on buying trips, and doing lots of repairs. 

 

I found these two Diamond Metal pens; weird filling systems, I have no idea how they work. Any suggestions? I was going to scrap the nibs, but then I said "Someone would know what the story is, or want them" so I decided to ask here and find out.

 

Let me know, thanks!

 

Greg Minuskin

greg@gregminuskin.com

www.gregminuskin.com

[david i]

Hi Greg,

 

I assume Diamond Medal not Diamond Metal.

 

The brand/label was owned by Sears, the pens made for it (rebadged) by Barrett/National and Parker at least.

 

I suspect this is late 1930s, possibly the post-Parker era, though I've not examined this particular style pen. Possibly made again by Barrett/National, though I'd be most interested to know if Parker parts from Vacumatic/Challenger fit (cap /blindcap close successfuly on barrel).

 

I have no idea how to fix the filler.  I'll ping some repair guys.

 

regards

 

david

[Greg Minuskin]

Dear David,

 

Yes, I was too fast in the typing, sorry! Diamond Medal!

 

Interesting history, and perhaps worthy of repair too.

 

Thanks David; I look forward to hearing from the "folks" out there on this filling system.

 

Sincerely,

 

Greg 

www.gregminuskin.com

greg@gregminuskin.com

[Richard]

This is a modified Post (pull, or syringe) filler. The plunger is partially collapsible to allow a larger reservoir with a shorter blind cap.

[Greg Minuskin]

Thanks Richard!
 

So, is it repairable, or do I just scrap the nibs, and toss the pens away?

 

Greg

[FarmBoy]

Worthy of more than scrap as an example of an unusual filler.

[Procyon]

This is a modified Post (pull, or syringe) filler. The plunger is partially collapsible to allow a larger reservoir with a shorter blind cap.

 

 

OK, I'm intrigued. Richard, how do you push the plunger back down, without spewing out all the ink?

[Mike Hosea]

The blind caps are still quite long.  I would expect the only thing you push back in after filling is the inner rod.

[Hugh]

Both would appear to be National products. Scraping them would be a true waste and given their general appears and unusual filling system something well worth avoiding !! Unfortunately I suspect the uniqueness and $ may not "spiritually" aline...

 

Regards

Hugh

[AndyR]

The original 'Improved Post' pens were the first pens marketed by (the original) Conway Stewart in the UK, in 1905. They were found either with metal rods or vulcanite (hard rubber) rods. I have one of the latter examples, a little bit tired but with a lovely original gold 'Post no. 6' nib.

 

1930s seems a surprisingly late revival for these.

 

Andy

[Ron Z]

Think of it as a hypodermic syringe attached to the back of a section.  To fill, you pull the plunger back, and it stays back until you go to fill it again.  The shaft of the plunger sticks out, so the blind cap has to be quite long to cover it.  The ink capacity is half the barrel length, at best, and usually less.  Some Morrison pens used this system, and it's often found on lower end pens.

 

The point of the telescoping plunger is that you can push the filler all of the way down, but it can be collapsed so that you don't have as much to hide under the blind cap.  You get more than half the length of the barrel to hold ink.

 

Most likely the plunger seal will need to be replaced.  How easy it is to repair depends in part on how they attached the reservoir to the section, and how they attached the seal to the plunger.

[Greg Minuskin]

Thanks for these great answers! I can remove easily the aluminum filling systems using a Parker 51 diaphragm tool, so they are not stuck inside the barrels. Looks like a rubber plunger as Ron said on the other end. The tips of the aluminum are "springy" with some sort of inner spring in them. 

 

Anyone who wants them, make me an offer, thanks!
 

Greg

greg@gregminuskin.com

www.gregminuskin.com