Indestructible Nibs -- What are they made of?

[jbb]

Indestructible nibs show up around 1901 on souvenir pens from World’s Fairs and Expositions like the Pan-American Exposition (1901), the St. Louis World’s Fair (1904) and the Jamestown Exposition (1907). They are a gold colored metal and imprinted “Indestructible” sometimes they also include a manufacturers name. They’re nice flex writers which is why I started noticing them. They are not magnetic so they do not contain iron and I’ve never seen one with rust on it. They contain some copper as they displayed the characteristic green corrosion of copper after concentrated exposure to vinegar fumes. Beyond that don’t know what they’re made out of. Does anyone know what they are made of or more about their history?

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7399/14157726261_78811eb8f3_z.jpg

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2895/14158278962_0941872dd9_c.jpg

[jar]

Since the newest alloy of the period was Stainless Steel I would imagine that is the material.

[jbb]

Since the newest alloy of the period was Stainless Steel I would imagine that is the material.

The Indestructible nibs are not magnetic and stainless steel is, isn't it?

[ardgedee]

Depends on the type of stainless steel. Some are magnetic, some aren't. I'm not aware of stainless steel with copper content, although that might be the brass plating rather than the core metal. (I'm also not a metallurgist so this is the extent of my knowledge about this!)

[Laura N]

That's an interesting question. I might call Sam and Frank at Pendemonium, or perhaps email Richard Binder. I bet someone knows.

I would have asked around at the Chicago Pen Show, but alas that was last weekend. :)