Period Mechanical Pencils

[GburgSldr]

Hello All,

I did some searching on the forum, but couldn't find anything on the subject of mechanical pencils and their use during the war.

Does anyone have any good sources on the subject, or know of any good reproductions?

My apologies if I have missed a previous thread.

Thanks,

Thomas Paone

[Scott Sheets]

Re: Period Mechanical Pencils

Oh man....I vaguely remember seeing one in Lords.... I'll take a look and see if I can find it.

[Cumpston1862]

Re: Period Mechanical Pencils

Thomas-

Its always a good idea to see what the Civil War relic hunters are pulling out of the ground and where. Check this link out.

http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/today-s-finds/167125-my-best-find-yet-civil-war-mechanical-pencil-engraved-w-g-h-r-co-pa-116-a.html

[Scott Sheets]

Re: Period Mechanical Pencils

THanks for the link Louis. I found the info I was looking for.

Lords, Vol 2 lists and automatic pencil patented by Johann Faber on 8/13/61. Here's the link to the patent below.

http://www.google.com/patents?id=vg5tAAAAEBAJ&pg=PP1&source=gbs_selected_pages&cad=2#v=onepage&q&f=false

[GburgSldr]

Re: Period Mechanical Pencils

Thanks for the links! I appreciate the help.

Tom Paone

[Pvt Schnapps]

Re: Period Mechanical Pencils

Check out "Bagley's Patent Extension Penholder" on page 2 of the October 3, 1846 "Scientific American" (Vol. 2, No. 2) for a style that seems to have been popular around mid-century: http://ebooks.library.cornell.edu/cg...image;seq=0014

I was lucky enough to get one of these pen and pencil combos at a flea market. The holder takes a Gillott 303 nib. The pencil portion presents a challenge, as do a lot of period mechanical pencils, in that they're made for a lead a little larger than a .9mm, but a bit smaller than more recent vintage pencils. One way to cope is to get one of the leads for the latter and sand it down.

I have several pencils from the period like this, but without the additional feature of the pen. It's best to buy one in person, if you can. The slider rings and the heads loosen with use, and some are more robust than others.

Black leads are not the only choice. Theodore Ayrault Dodge, writing to his mother on July 20, 1862 says: “As you see, my letter acknowledges the receipt of the pencil you sent out (a blue everpointed pencil), just the thing...”

Note that you'll find more information online if you search for "ever pointed" pencils, or "pencil case."

You can also glance at the "Material Culture" section of "The School of the Clerk" among the research articles in this forum: http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/...l-of-the-Clerk

[PieBoy96]

Re: Period Mechanical Pencils

Hi Tom,

Several dug originals are on display in the excellent White Oak Museum outside Fredericksburg, VA. http://www.whiteoakmuseum.com Considering they are but a small portion of the thousands of excavated items on exhibit, I'm sure the owner, DP Newton, would be happy to direct you to them and possibly offer some additional insight.

[CompanyWag]

Re: Period Mechanical Pencils

I've got a non-dug version of the combination mechanical pencil/pen in my collection. It appears to be very similar to the Bagley patent design, however I've seen documentation of similar examples that were available late in the 19th century. I'll post some photos later tonight.

[CompanyWag]

Re: Period Mechanical Pencils

Here's the photos. The cap on the end screws off to access the chamber for the leads, the pencil will retract by twisting the body, the pen point emerges by sliding the brass ring forward.

[GburgSldr]

Re: Period Mechanical Pencils

Wow. That is great! Thanks for the pictures. I had no idea something like that existed.

Tom Paone

[Scott Sheets]

Re: Period Mechanical Pencils

Thanks for the pictures Paul. Very cool to see.

[CompanyWag]

Re: Period Mechanical Pencils

I hope it was helpful. I've gotten the feeling that mechanical pencils were probably somewhat pricey during the period and were likely something only an officer would have afforded. Mechanical pencils (like period housewives and mirrors etc) are common civilian items and without a known provenance they may not have a ACW association and may even be post-war.

Here's a link to a mechanical pencil supposedly id'd to Lt. Col Wooster, 101st OVI, killed at Stones River:

http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/5900407

[Shockoe Hill Cats]

Re: Period Mechanical Pencils

Greetings, from Richmond National Battlefield Visitor Center:



(Belongings of Pvt. Nathaniel Johnston, Virginia Salem Flying Artillery)

[toptimlrd]

Re: Period Mechanical Pencils

Like mentioned earlier, my problem is finding lead to fit my mechanical pencil, I think I've tried every size close that is currently produced. If anyone has any suggestions on where to find correct sized leads, please post here. Mine is part of a matched set with a propelling pen.

[Pvt Schnapps]

Re: Period Mechanical Pencils

Robert, if you can't find ones the right size you can search around and find even larger leads, then sand them down. For example: http://www.pendemonium.com/ink_leads.htm#victorian and http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/fo...php?app=forums and http://www.vintagepens.com/catill_nibs_parts.shtml

In a pinch you can also take a .9mm modern lead, break it off to the right size, and secure it with a little dab of beeswax on the end.