Sheaffer Balance Oversize

[bunnspecial]

My grandmother recently passed away, and in going through some of her personal items my mom grabbed this for me. I don't think that anyone realized how good of a pen it is. The barrel is engraved with the name of my great-great-uncle who passed away in the 1960s.

 

From browsing the interwebs, the color looks to me to be "red veined grey pearl" and based on the cap clip, it appears to have been made sometime between 1931 and 1934.

 

I think that this is an oversize. The barrel-at its widest point-is a little over a half inch, and the cap measures 15mm at its widest.

 

It needs a new sack, but overall looks to be in good condition.

 

I will try to take better photos of it, but would appreciate any comments or thoughts on how good of a find this is. Of course, as it's a family piece, it's not something I will ever get rid of, but I'm still interested to learn as much as possible.

 

 

[jar]

Looks like you identified it and it appears to be in great shape. Fix it up and put it in use until it gets passed to your great-great niece or nephew.

[bunnspecial]

Thanks for the response. I'm looking forward to getting this going and using it(on occasion).

 

There was also a second Balance. This one is a jet black Vac-Fill with a lifetime nib. As best as I can tell, this is a "full length standard girth", and from the filling system and nib I'm guessing it's maybe 1935-1940.

 

Unfortunately, the cap is MIA on this one.

 

I've looked around, but no one seems to sell caps separately. Is this something I'd have some hope of finding if I keep my eyes on Ebay?

[jar]

Thanks for the response. I'm looking forward to getting this going and using it(on occasion).

 

There was also a second Balance. This one is a jet black Vac-Fill with a lifetime nib. As best as I can tell, this is a "full length standard girth", and from the filling system and nib I'm guessing it's maybe 1935-1940.

 

Unfortunately, the cap is MIA on this one.

 

I've looked around, but no one seems to sell caps separately. Is this something I'd have some hope of finding if I keep my eyes on Ebay?

 

Your best bet might be to check every Fountain Pen show. If you can't attend ask one of the folk going to look for you.

Edited August 8, 2014 by jar

[Ernst Bitterman]

Later-- the metal threads, the step in the barrel and textured section are yelling mid-1940s at me, although if that is indeed a Lifetime point I admit befuddlement it being a non-Triumph point. If it's not marked Lifetime, you've probably got a '48 Statesman, as they went to an open point like that just before the switch from vacs to TD. My example has a HORRIBLY ambered ink window:

 

http://dirck.delint.ca/beta/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Sheaffer-0422.jpg

Edited August 8, 2014 by Ernst Bitterman

[bunnspecial]

Later-- the metal threads, the step in the barrel and textured section are yelling mid-1940s at me, although if that is indeed a Lifetime point I admit befuddlement it being a non-Triumph point. If it's not marked Lifetime, you've probably got a '48 Statesman, as they went to an open point like that just before the switch from vacs to TD. My example has a HORRIBLY ambered ink window:

 

I'm flying a bit blind on this(I know very little anyway, and the lack of a cap leaves even more in question). The nib is definitely marked "Lifetime."

 

I haven't totally given up hope of finding the original cap-I gave my mom instructions on what it should look like, so she's going to keep her eyes open.

 

This pen nearly ended up in the trash due to not having a cap-I'm just glad it didn't!

 

I got out the real camera and took what I hope is a slightly better photo

 

Edited August 8, 2014 by bunnspecial

[bunnspecial]

While I was at it, I also took some better photos of the pen that was the subject of the original post.

 

 

 

 

 

[PAKMAN]

Wow the complete Balance is a wonderful find and as a heirloom it is just that much more special!!! Congrats!

[Ernst Bitterman]

Befuddlement restated and enhanced.

 

But that red-veined item is VERY nice indeed-- I can tell even in my current dizzy state.

Edited August 8, 2014 by Ernst Bitterman

[bunnspecial]

I appreciate all the good information from everyone. Perhaps I should start a separate thread for the capless pen to see if anyone else on here has some ideas on what it could be.

 

Come to find out, both of these pens nearly ended up in the garbage . I'm glad that my mom had the foresight to save them.

 

I cleaned both of them up some, and dipped both in Waterman Blue to try them out. The nibs are typical Sheaffers(or at least in my experience)-very firm, but also very smooth. I tested the Vac-Fill in water, and as best as I can tell it all seems to work correctly. As I mentioned, the sac is shot on the Oversize(I can hear pieces of it rattling around in the barrel) but I hope I can have it going again soon.

[pen lady]

Beautiful pen. That grey with red veins is one of my favourite Sheaffer colours.

[GardenCity-NY]

Congratulations! Nice pen, and the fact that it is a family heirloom makes it all the more important to restore. FYI - Ron Zorn did a great job restoring my grandfathers oversize balance vac-filler last year. I'd recommend him for this important project.

[dannyboy]

Yes, by all means get that Oversize red-veined gray pearl Sheaffer restored by Ron Zorn and you'll have a super pen! Do something very nice for your mother for her sharp eye in saving this heirloom for you! Congratulations and enjoy this pen for years to come!

[bunnspecial]

Thanks everyone for the comments and complements. I'll send an email to Ron Zorn and see what he has to say. As best as I can tell, aside from the ink sac(which I can hear pieces of rattling around in the barrel) everything seems to be in good shape so I hope that it wouldn't take much to get it going.

 

If his restoration includes buffing, I just need to make sure that he does NOT remove the name from the side of the barrel. I realize many folks would want this done, but especially in this situation I don't want it to be done. In fact, it would be great if he could redo the gold leaf in the name.

And, yes, I will definitely be sure I do something nice for my mother for saving this!

Edited August 14, 2014 by bunnspecial

[bunnspecial]

Ron Zorn wrote back to me this morning, and the oversize is now in the mail on its way to him.

Thanks again for all the advice and suggestions! I'll report back once I receive the pen back from him.

Edited August 15, 2014 by bunnspecial

[georges zaslavsky]

you did well on chosing ron zorn for restoring your pen

[bunnspecial]

I got "the email" from Robyn yesterday saying that my pen was ready. I sent a Paypal payment immediately, so now I just have to wait it out a few more days to get it back in the mail.

 

I'm incredibly excited to get this one back!

[pen lady]

Please be sure to to post "after" pictures so that we can all share in your excitement.

[bunnspecial]

Indeed I will

[bunnspecial]

I was out of town when the package arrived, but it was waiting for me to open when I returned home this evening.

 

Ron Zorn did a phenomenal job on it, and I could not possibly be more pleased!

 

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee204/ben10ben/IMG_3655.jpg

 

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee204/ben10ben/IMG_3656.jpg

 

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee204/ben10ben/IMG_3657.jpg

 

And, here's a photo of Dan O'Sullivan-"Uncle Dan." He's on the far left. I tried to find a photo of him with this pen in his pocket, but couldn't. He owned(partially and fully) several racing horses, and we found several of these racing photos also when cleaning out my grandmothers' house.

 

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee204/ben10ben/scoutplane1937.jpg