USS California BB-44 Pen - Desire Pen Kit

[Fireengines]

This pen was crafted using teak wood for the deck off the battleship USS California (BB-44) that was sunk at Pearl Harbor. The ship was refloated and dry-docked at Pearl Harbor for repairs. On 7 June, she departed under her own power for Puget Sound Navy Yard where a major reconstruction job was accomplished, including improved protection, watertight compartmentalizing, stability, antiaircraft battery, and fire control system.
She was placed in commission in reserve there on 7 August 1946, out of commission in reserve on 14 February 1947, stricken on 1 March 1959.


I purchased the wood from Tropical Exotic Hardwoods. When I tried to purchase more, someone bought the entire stock leaving me with a very limited supply left. The person who purchased the stock wanted to keep his / her name a secret and tried to purchase any stock others may have purchase from the vendor. As a result, I am not offering any of this wood for sell or trade.



Tropical Exotic Hardwoods: Checking out the USS California teak decking!


The pen kit is a Desire Stainless Steel Roller Ball. In the past, I would cover the wood with teak oil which darkened the wood. This time the wood was covered only with CA.

 

[magpens]

What a gorgeous pen, and what a keepsake ! Wish I could read all of the newspaper article underneath it.

 

[Marko50]

Awesome!

That, my friend, is a gorgeous pen! Great job and excellent story behind the wood. That's one of those that hard to give away, sell or trade! I would hang on to that one as one of my "personal collection"pens!

 

[Fireengines]

It is my new carry pen. I show it off all the time and to the younger folks I have to explain what Pearl Harbor was.

 

[BSea]

My absolute favorite pens are pens with a story. And this is one of the best.

I agree with you not selling or trading any of the stock. If it were me, I'd only let it go to someone who has a personal experience with that ship or a family member from a Pearl Harbor veteran.

 

[Fireengines]

Bob...

With one exception, they have all gone to family members who had service members at Pearl on Dec. 7th (battleships West Virginia, Oklahoma, and Tennessee). One went to a USS California crew member, the current Commanding Officer of the USS California (SSN-781), and a Marine Corp General whose father was a WW II Lingayen Gulf PT boat skipper (the California saw action there).

Finally, one went to my letter carrier upon his retirement forom the Navy Reserve.

I hope it is a gift that is passed down from one generation to another.

 

[magpens]

What a great story pen and I am sure your recipients cherish it.

It is my new carry pen. I show it off all the time and to the younger folks I have to explain what Pearl Harbor was.

I think it is a pity that the younger folks haven't, by some means, learned the significance of Pearl Harbor.

 

[Rick_G]

Turned out to be a great looking pen. I really like wood with a story of some kind behind it. I have a couple pieces of teak that came from a Norwegian sailing vessel that I use on pens that I give to Canadian Navy people I meet. Also have a little with family history that my dad carried around for 50 years and 4 moves. It gets used on pens for family only.