RARE C1917 WATERMAN 0512 1/2 ORIENTAL OVERLAY XF-BBB NIB FOUNTAIN PEN RESTORED

For your consideration, we are offering for sale this Uncommon Beautiful Restored Circa 1917 Waterman #0512 1/2 Black Hard Rubber with 18K Gold Filled Oriental Overlay Fountain Pen. This fountain pen has been thoroughly taken apart, cleaned and put back together and now is in wonderful writing condition. Waterman Oriental Overlays are very scarce and considered one of the most beautiful engraved designs that Waterman produced.

Ultrasonically cleaned the NIB, feed, and section. Hand cleaned the inside of the barrel and cap with mineral oil. Cleaned, buffed, and polished the outside of the cap and barrel. Replaced the old rubber sac with a new silicone sac. Hand polished the 18K Gold Filled Waterman Clip, 18K Gold Filled Cap, 18K Gold Filled Barrel and Lever Box Assembly along with the Waterman 14K #2 NIB.

This fountain pen is made from black hard rubber with 18K Gold Filled Overlay in what is known as the Oriental pattern. The overlay is stunning displaying gorgeous hand engraved design displaying no denting or any dings. The lever is crisp and clean with "IDEAL" on the lever easily seen with the naked eye with just a hint of minor wear. The 18K Gold Filled Waterman Ideal Clip displays no wear at all. The Cap displays only very minor wear towards the top edging of the cap. All the 18K Gold Filled overlay has been polished to shine brightly. The lower portion of the barrel, the hard rubber end is stamped and very faintly, "WATERMAN'S RED. U.S. PAT. OFF. MADE IN U.S.A.". The butt end of the fountain pen model imprint in non-existent but would have read, "0512 1/2". The threads on the cap and barrel are excellent with the cap always securing tightly to the barrel. There is a monogram to the cartouche area that is engraved with the initials, "RWC". There are no cracks or repairs to the hard rubber or 18K Gold Filled overlay - this overlay and hard rubber are in excellent condition with less to normal wear and usage. This Waterman #0512 1/2 measures 5 3/8" in length capped and 6 1/2" posted.

The lever and box assembly has been cleaned and oiled. I have tested the lever filling systems with water and works flawlessly and as it was originally intended to.

This is where the pen starts to really shine - this Waterman has a #2 WATERMAN IDEAL NEW YORK LONG TINE Nib. The iridium tipping is in excellent condition with the point measuring .49mm when measured with digital calipers - a fine nib point. When writing the sample in the listing images, the NIB writes with an extra-fine line measuring roughly .40mm with very light pressure and flexes to a 2.02mm with firm pressure when measured with digital calipers. The writing sample provided was done with the actual pen in the images that are listed for sale. The writing sample was used by dipping the NIB in Parker Quink Blue Ink.

Any specks of white in the images are from the cotton that I used to clean the barrel and cap.

This antique Waterman #0512 1/2 Gold Filled Oriental Pattern Fountain Pen is not an easy example to find clean and is considered one of the most desirable overlays to own from Waterman's line of overlays. I would consider the condition of this fountain pen to grade in Very Fine to Excellent condition. The Oriental overlay is incredible but this XF to BBB nib really puts this pen over the top! A fabulous example to add to one's writing arsenal collection.