Waterman's Numbering System
Waterman's Numbering System
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About 1898 Waterman's began using a standard numbering system to describe its pens. This system was modified slightly in 1917 and lasted until the 1930's with exceptions creeping in after 1927. These numbers were stamped on the end of the pen as follows:
About 1898 Waterman's began using a standard numbering system to describe its pens. This system was modified slightly in 1917 and lasted until the 1930's with exceptions creeping in after 1927. These numbers were stamped on the end of the pen as follows:
Hundreds column
Hundreds column
2xx = Sterling Silver barrel covered
2xx = Sterling Silver barrel covered
3xx = Gold barrel covered
3xx = Gold barrel covered
4xx = Sterling Silver barrel & cap
4xx = Sterling Silver barrel & cap
5xx = Solid Gold barrel & cap
5xx = Solid Gold barrel & cap
6xx = Mother of Pearl (after 1917, 2 gold bands on barrel)
6xx = Mother of Pearl (after 1917, 2 gold bands on barrel)
7xx = One 14kt gold band on barrel
7xx = One 14kt gold band on barrel
8xx = One 14kt gold band on cap
8xx = One 14kt gold band on cap
9xx = One 14kt gold band on top of cap
9xx = One 14kt gold band on top of cap
0xxx = gold filled
0xxx = gold filled
Tens column
Tens column
0x = Straight cap
0x = Straight cap
1x = Cone cap
1x = Cone cap
2x = Taper cap
2x = Taper cap
4x = Desk pen (after 1917, safety pen)
4x = Desk pen (after 1917, safety pen)
5x = Lever filler
5x = Lever filler
6x = Lever filler with slip cap
6x = Lever filler with slip cap
7x = Eyedropper filler with screw cap
7x = Eyedropper filler with screw cap
8x = Pump filler
8x = Pump filler
Units column
Units column
This indicates the nib size
This indicates the nib size
Additional Markings
Additional Markings
1/2 = the pen is thinner
1/2 = the pen is thinner
V = the pen is shorter
V = the pen is shorter
SF = Self Filler
SF = Self Filler
S = Safety
S = Safety
P = Pump
P = Pump
POC = Pocket
POC = Pocket
PSF = Pocket Self Filler
PSF = Pocket Self Filler
X = Larger barrel than standard for that nib size
X = Larger barrel than standard for that nib size
VP = Vest Pocket
VP = Vest Pocket
J = Slip cap safety
J = Slip cap safety
LEC = Lower End Covered
LEC = Lower End Covered
w.r. = With Ring
w.r. = With Ring
Example
Example
A #0552 1/2 is a thin, gold-filled lever-filler with a No. 2 sized nib. A #404 is a silver straight cap with a No. 4 sized nib. A #58 is a lever-filler with a No. 8 sized nib. About 1928, Waterman's began making pens that did not use the above system, such as the #7's, #5's, #94's, #92's, and #32's.
A #0552 1/2 is a thin, gold-filled lever-filler with a No. 2 sized nib. A #404 is a silver straight cap with a No. 4 sized nib. A #58 is a lever-filler with a No. 8 sized nib. About 1928, Waterman's began making pens that did not use the above system, such as the #7's, #5's, #94's, #92's, and #32's.
This table comes mainly from the book Fountain Pens and Pencils: The Golden Age of Writing Instruments by Fischler and Schneider.
A more comprehensive guide is available on David Nishimura's site and can be found here: https://www.vintagepens.com/FAQhistory/FAQhistory.htm
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