Moore Fingertip Generation 2

Post Number 200 ~

I recently restored and wrote about a Moore Fingertip Fountain Pen on September 6, 2012.

Briefly, Fingertips were produced by Moore from 1946 to 1950. More information on them can be found in the link above.

A second generation, or smaller variant was produced later in the Fingertip run at the same $8.75 price point.  Neither pen is easily available now, but this second, smaller pen is a bit rarer.  I was fortunate to find one recently and decided to move it forward in the repair queue, as I had just recently restored the larger “Vintage Wine” colored model linked above.

Below is the exploded view of the pen.  There was no old sac inside, leading me to believe that a previous owner had taken it apart, and not finished the restoration job.  Less work for me!

I did have to clean the section unit in the ultrasonic cleaner, elimination any ink remains.  I also scraped off the old sac from the section and attached a trimmed size 18 sac to the cleaned, dry surface.  I inserted a small jbar, which fit perfectly, without having to be shaved, and the pen was ready  for assembly.

Here is a photo of the size 18 sac and section/nib, prior to insertion in the barrel.

Below are two photos of the pen after completion and polishing with a jewelers cloth.  The pen measures 4 15/16 inches closed and 6 inches posted.

The nib is a hard and inflexible fine.  As mentioned in my initial post of the first generation Fingertip, this appears to be the norm with these pens.

I find the next two photos interesting, comparing this second generation (top) and the first generation (bottom).

There are several differences between the two.  Here is a partial list from what I have observed in restoring the two.

~ The first produced pen has some advertising, the second has none, as far as I have seen.

~ The first pen was longer and appears to have been produced in more color combinations

~ The second pen only came in metal caps.  Mine has an attractive silver cap with gold clip.  I have also seen examples in all gold.

~ The first pen has an “over the cap clip, whereas the second pen has a mid cap clip, with a decorative bubble on the top of the cap.

~ The silver section is larger on the first pen, though the gold inlaid nib seems to be the same size.  The nib on the second generation pen has two breather holes as opposed to one in the first produced pen.

~ The first pen has a screw on cap, the second is friction fit with a clutch ring.

Both Fingertips marked a transition period in fountain pens and an unsuccessful attempt by Moore to compete with the more successful Parker and Sheaffer streamlined pens of the period.  They are no longer plentiful, and putting together a large collection would be cost prohibitive to most collectors, but one is an interesting collection addition.

Advertisement

Waterman Early Crusader

In a post on January 24, 2011, I wrote about the restoration of a 1948 or later Waterman Crusader. Waterman introduced their Taperite pens in the mid 1940s, partly in response to the success of the Parker 51 and other streamline pen designs.  The pen restored here is also a Waterman Crusader, however an earlier model, pre-1948.

Following is an advertisement from my collection that dates to 1947, showing that this is, of course, the Pen That Pleases Everyone!  Priced at $5.00, it was aggressively priced compared to its competitors, which would have included the Parker 51, and the Sheaffer Triumphs / Touchdowns.

Below is a photo of the pen (and matching pencil) after I took them apart.  As you can see, it was lightly used, as the sac is still pliable and everything is fairly clean.   As I have mentioned before – unless there is a perceived problem with the nib or section, it is better to leave the section/feed/nib intact.  The plastic used on these late 40s Waterman’s is not sturdy and prone to cracking, even when great care is taken.  There was some dried ink on the nib, so I gave the assembly a bath in an ultrasonic cleaner, which cleaned out the ink and polished up the hooded nib.  The sac size is 16 and I attached a new one to the section, attaching the clutch ring to the barrel before reassembly.

The inner cap of the pencil had become disengaged from the cap, so I coated it with a thin layer of super glue and let it sit over night after reattaching it to the inside of the cap.  This allows the cap to grip the metal portion of the pencil and turn it to move the lead in and out.

Below is the completed pen and pencil set.  The pen measures 5 3/16 inches closed and 6 1/8 inches posted.  The pencil measures 5 3/8 inches. Taperites were available in several colors.  This pen is a dark blue.  I have also seen it in black.

A photo of the Taperite “hooded” nib and the eraser assembly.  The 0.9mm leads are stored underneath the eraser for easy access.

Below is a photo of the two generations of Crusader, albeit both short lived a very close together.  From my experience, the later pen is easier to find today, though its cap is often difficult to find in good condition.

Finally, a close up of a correct time period ink bottle from Waterman, also depicted in the advertisement above.

Sold as a value pen in its day, it can still be found at relatively low prices compared to some of its contemporaries.  Not a bad pen to add to your collection or to your pocket…