Why can't I find a spare Mandarin cap?

Maybe you're feeling a little miffed that pen people have been so dismissive (some even laugh!) of your parts requests.  Just keep in mind that in many cases, what you are looking for, everyone is looking for.  Each pen design has its weaknesses, and the most fragile component is always the first to break.  Thus, a plentiful supply of parts pens, all lacking the same crucial parts.  In the case of the Mandarin Senior, the cap is the pen: if cracked, the pen's value drops by two-thirds, if not more.  Other weak components that will be next to impossible to find: Coronet sections, silver Waterman clips and levers, Wingflow nibs, Patrician clips, and just about any cap in red hard rubber.