First Esterbrook - Question

[Takasnooze]

I have my first Esterbrook, pretty sure it's an LJ. 5 inches, same size jewels, the lever is rounded like a spoon. The pen is red, striped, (icicles ?)
My question is this, should it have an Esterbrook barrel stamp. There is no stamp on the barrel. I can't seem to find an answer around the internet so I thought I would ask the experts. Love this little pen, writes very well. First of many, I hope! https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180526/c2651515b031145f383ea6636a78d9d1.jpg

[oldsalt]

I have a 'J' my imprint was really hard to see, if you have a good magnifying glass or loupe you should be able to spot it, or at least remnants of it

[Takasnooze]

I've been over it several times with a loupe, I'll give it another go. Thanks

[oldsalt]

It's really hard to see, mine is located as follows, orient the lever to the 12:00 position, from the barrel end, the imprint should be at the 5:00 position. I really like mine, got a 9788 nib for it and it is a great writer. Be careful though they tend to multiply if you aren't careful.

[Takasnooze]

I found one that looks and is described just like mine at vintagepens.com
it also has no barrel stamp per the description. I'm guessing there are some out there that don't have the stamp.

[welch]

Red icicle, LJ size? Looks too thin for a "fat" J.

I looked at my green icicle. If the lever is 12 o'clock, then there is a cursive "Esterbrook" at 3:00 with a small "TM", and just below is "Made in the USA". Spotted it with a flashlight and then read it with an illuminated loupe.

If the clip says "Esterbrook", as your does, then it is a genuine Estie. Maybe the etching was rubbed flat from the barrel, or maybe the factory missed some, or maybe only a few had the "Esterbrook", TM, and "Made in the USA"?

[Farmboy]

Ive seen the imprint locations discussed before. If you dare go there...

http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/72719-nibs-and-levers/

Go well protected.

[corgicoupe]

Might it have been polished off? Perhaps needed aggressive polishing to eliminate scratches.

[azkid]

Yours is an LJ icicle as far as I can tell.

I think I read that pen repair often included polishing so maybe the Mark was lost to the buffer wheel long ago.

Here is one I just sold that had a deep impression but depth has varied with the dozen pens I've restored.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180915/19fc246c364c52c1dbd2af66ef943804.jpg
If you take your pen as pictured, and rotate the lever away from you by about 100-120° the stamp should be right in front of you.