The Waterman 503 was one of a new range of pens introduced in the post war period. It was made in solid colours and a number of attractive, irregularly striped patterns with a pearlised finish that Waterman termed 'striated', this set is 'Honey Brown Striated'. The way that the material was produced would mean that each pen has a unique pattern.
This set, comprising a fountain pen and propelling pencil, is presented in the original box along with instruction leaflets for each instrument. The box has some age marks on the lining and the exterior has seen better days, but it is almost certainly the box that the set was sold in so should be retained with the set.
The finish on the set is exceptional, it is bright and unfaded with a first class surface and very sharp imprints. The fountain pen clip shows a little wear to the plating and is slightly loose and this is reflected in the price. Otherwise the set could be described as near mint.
At 13 cm. capped and a most impressive 15.6 cm. in length with the cap posted for use the 503 is a good sized, elegant, high quality pen. It has been fully serviced, including a new ink sac. The old ink sac, which had hardened with age, was the original Waterman sac, showing that the pen has not been used for a few decades.
The filling system works well with just one operation of the lever. The 14 Ct. gold nib is unusual in that it has an extra fine, firm point. It writes with a firm, fine line, ideally suited for someone with small handwriting or for more detailed work. I think it would probably also make a good drawing pen.
The pencil has a rotary mechanism, operated by turning the cone to extend and retract the lead. The cap can be removed to reveal an eraser which appears to have seen little use but has hardened with age.
The striated Waterman pens were made at a time when the English pen companies were recovering from wartime restrictions on production and shortage of materials and labour. It was also period of optimism although the threat of the ballpoint pen was looming large so drastic measures were needed to secure a good share of the market. These wonderfully attractive pens were part of Watermans strategy to achieve this aim.