When the ink level in a bottle is too low to fill a 149. . .

What should we do when the level of ink in a bottle is just too low to fill a large fountain pen, such as a 149? Once in desperation, after buying a nice, old and very well used 149 in an antiques shop in a city far from home, I sat in the hotel room that night and squeezed blue Sheaffer Skrip from a cartridge onto the feed of the 149 and wrote a few lines with it. I was eager to write more without the hassle of squeezing the cartridge every few lines. So, I turned the 149's piston knob to the empty position. Squeezed a drop or two into the recessed space around the collar, and then turned the piston. Presto! The seal was strong enough to draw ink. Did this a few more times and was able to write the rest of the evening. Many times since then, I have used the dregs of an ink bottle, but find using a syringe much easier. If the piston won't draw ink with the first drop, run water over the feed and allow it to fill the recessed space around the seal. Then draw that water in. Capillary attraction should then work. This morning, I put the very last of some Pelikan Royal Blue into late 1970s- early 80s 149. Photos are turned & don't know how to rotate them. Right comfortable here on the ceiling though. Enjoy.

Brilliant. I was about to suggest sending the pen to me, as I have some full bottles... :D

Barry, you could keep a Snorkel handy for those times the 149 just cannot handle the chore.

Good idea, Fred. One of your favorite models. Thanks.