Welcome to- The Fountain Pen Community!

I did speak to Gerry Berg at the DC show regarding the pen. He did instruct me on how to attempt to open it! I believe it was the same information he referenced in his recent Pennant article. It requires (three) days of soaking, along with some TLC trying to unscrew the nib! A drop of both ammonia and "Dawn" dish detergent was recommended to help loosen the "gunk"! Apply a little heat at the nib/section neck to help with the unscrewing process!

You need to make sure both the nib and feed are turning at the same time when trying to open it! That "inner barrel" I was referring to could break otherwise. (Grab both nib and feed with thumb and index finger- turn carefully) Continue "soak" process if it does not budge!

Hope that helps you guys!

Frank

-- Edited by Frank on Sunday 12th of August 2012 11:29:17 AM

Hi Issy!

It's what's known as a Plunger/"vac" filler! It's a later "Balance" pen, so it is an upgrade from the lever type filler. This is an early/mid 40's model. It uses a rod for the plunging process, and uses that "Inner Barrel" for the ink chamber!

I am in the middle of soaking the parts, and getting ready to put it back together soon! I got the repair kit from David N. (vintagepens), and will be checking his site and the web for tips on how to "get it right"! 

Frank

 

Hi Frank - So that's the inner tube or whatever in the barrel then? Is that the same thing Nathan Tardif references in his video? He has a video where he uses a noodler's gasket to repair 3 pens, including a vac fill. There's a sleeve inside the barrel and it has the same nib you have. :)

Hi Frank,

Here's the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ooiu2r3zHWc

It's long :P The vac fill is the second pen. I would suggest downloading the video using a firefox plugin so you can skip to the vac fill and rewind when you want to.