Actually, all the hardware should be gold filled - except for the accomodation clip, I suppose.
Not for French-market Watermans.
Ripples were sold in France with nickel or chrome-plated trim. If you look at the cap band in the photo in the original post, you'll see it's different from USA-market bands -- it too is characteristically French.
The nib will surely turn out to be 18K, as well.
Just a contribution to the subject of French ripples with nickel or chrome-plated trim :
Thanks very much for posting pictures of your lovely pen.
My second one arrived, and at least it hasn't been polished to death. Made in USA, it says on the barrel in italics under the usual stuff "Ripple" which I suppose is normal on these. The cap threads are OK - I tested it on another barrel; the accommodation clip conveniently covers the two holes where the "Clipcap clip" once was...
The barrel threads are pretty much history and the pen is very faded. I have tried some of the usual approaches which have made only a very small improvement so I suppose it's beyond a prayer really. I had hoped that at least I might be lucky and get an exciting nib, but it was not to be: it's not bad at all, but I have at least half a dozen Swans which are vastly superior.
So when I get time it will be a useful candidate for thread rebuilding experiments - I shall remove the nib and section first - in case the cap remains permanently bonded to the barrel!
Thanks for all your contributions.
Cob
Edited by Cob, 01 February 2015 - 11:16 AM.