I think this is a Wyvern model called the Big Ben. I think.
The body imprint is all in initials, so from it I learn this is
"THE 'B-B'", of the "W.F.P.Co., London" and made in England (which does, at least, narrow down which
London they mean). I base the Wyvern identification on a lot of
several pens identified as coming from that company, showing similar
patterns and the same five-lobed clip. I believe it's of 1930's
manufacture, from what very little I've been able to glean about the
company off the internet. I should say that one can learn a great
deal about role-playing games using 'wyvern' as a search parameter, but
not a great deal about British pen-makers.
The lack of research success has lead to a lack of repair progress.
I can tell by direct experience that the section is made of hard
rubber (are is the derby and the blind cap which you can't see in that
picture), but I've no idea which of the squirrelly plastics of the
inter-bellum years the body is composed of. Celluloid?
Casein? Something even more obscure? Likewise, is the
section threaded into the body? Is there glue? If so, what
kind? I've tried very gentle dry heat, but without guidance, I'm
hesitant to stage anything upwards. A nice soak in a hot tub is
out-- while it works wonders for a "51", the best I can hope for with this is to discolour the section, and if it is casein plastic, then it might just dissolve.
The shame of the situation is that the point begs for use-- flexible to
the point of floppiness, and a fat stub on top of that. I don't
doubt that it would be great as a pen for artistic writing... if only I
could get at that sac.
Specifications: Flexible 1mm stub 14k gold. Button filler. 12.8cm long capped, 14.8cm posted.
Condition:
Never a scratch on the body, no sign of oxidation on the rubber parts. The imprint is very smoothed-down and indistinct.
Some shrinkage evident, as the cap-band is loose, but it's
consistent, as all the threaded bits line up well (this might have some
bearing on the section's stubborn refusal to come out). Clip and
band are almost completely brassed. Filler button shiny, but
there's evidence that there's rust on the interior mechanism.
Repairs: None to date. Blast it!
Location: My collection.
For sale?: Not
currently. Once I actually get inside, there's two
possibilities-- I'll love it like a child and never be parted from it,
or I'll be sick of the sight of it and I'll sell it cheap. If
you've any hints about it, or interest in it should the latter
situation develop, please let me know:
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