Description

A replica of the standard grade rosewood pocket inkwell seen in most references and well documented during the war and pre-war period. (the higher grade being in the shape of a barrel) One of the premier maker’s of this type inkwell was S. Silliman and a facsimile of his label is found on the base. The top unscrews and the glass inside sits on a spring which compresses when closed to form a seal against the cork lining covered with vulcanized rubber material. (We check all of our caps for a defined impression from the rim of the glass in the vulcanized material indicating a good seal, however we do recommend that you test the seal with a non staining liquid before using just to insure against a mishap, we do not accept any liability for staining to clothing or other items as a result of use of this item) Some originals had a gutta percha piece afixed to the inside of the cap which is all but impossible to duplicate and dried out and cracked anyway. We have also successfully sealed these with a piece of sheet rubber to simulate the gutta percha if one ever needs to replace the inside lining. We have used ours, as sold here, in the field with satisfactory results. NOTE: This is the last of our original lot of these iconic CW inkwells, one of our most popular items, which we have sold exclusively now for the last 10 yrs. This item is not an easy one to manufacture, evidence that several of us Living History nerds had experimented extensively for years before it was finally accomplished. The process of making the threads in wood, and then having the outside of the body line up properly when closed is challenging. The slightest variance in grain can greatly effect the cut and  as a result, there will be chipping and irregularities in the raised ridges and cut grooves of the threading on both pieces, some minor chips possible near the lid cuts, and, occasionally a minuscule separation in the exterior seating. Nearly all of the inkwells we purchased had a nick here and there – this last bunch all have a bit more than those previously offered, they just aren’t as pretty as the best of the lot on the inside thread cuts. HOWEVER, in outward appearance they are as nice and handsome as any we have ever sold and we check all the of the inkwells to make sure they have a fully functional and firmly closing, reasonably seating cap before any are shipped. In some of our efforts to reproduce we have found it is just not possible to perfectly duplicate the 19th century craftsmanship we find in some of our relic prototypes at a cost that is marketable. We have had to make some compromises along the way in order to provide a product that would be otherwise unavailable. Some of the great craft woods used in the day for such things are actually illegal to harvest today and what is now available simply is not as fine. Those 19th century guys were simply better than us in many ways. When these are gone, that is it! Purchases limited to one per individual.