So I am considering collecting some Sheaffer vintage (actually I just started, by ordering the aqua snorkel from Antonios, and another one off of the green board) and found this table of touchdown variants on Binder's site.

http://www.richardspens.com/ref_info/snorkel_profile.htm

So my question is this. I am interested in teh touchdown models (pre-snorkel), especially the 1949 vintage. Did they come in all of these options? If not, what options were available???

Actually Jim's site has excellent information on TD. here, here and here.

Actually the majority of the touchdown pens are of the "thin"/later variety.
I have encountered rather few early (fat) TD pens (about 1 out of 50) - but maybe others have different experiences. I loved the early (fat) version - these are essentially identical to the vacuum fillers but with a more reliable filling system and a better (for me) girth.

AZ

Yep I think the 1949 touchdown filler was the largest/ thickest of the lot. Have one in brown and just rediscovered how much I enjoy it. Bought it from Nathan T. always a good source for Sheaffer pens.

K H

I am drawn to the 1949 version as well. Do they sell at a price premium compared to the TM or snorkel pens???

I think I got mine for around $50. IF that helps.

K H

I can not tell you. Since we do not see them on Green Board/Bay I guess the only place to establish price is the pen shows.
I found mine in a lot of junk pens accidentally

I've found at least three fat Touchdowns on eBay in the last three months. I hadn't realized that they were even rare! I like them, too -- the nibs are particularly nice. The ones I won weren't identified as the 1949 model, they weren't even identified as Touchdowns. They were simply called "Sheaffer Ink Pens" or "Old black Schaefer Ink pen" or something similiarly deluxe, and had the usual blurry photos that weren't too helpful. I never bid much money on them, since I could never be sure they would be restorable to working condition.

I'm finding that I actually prefer Touchdowns over the Snorkels. The filling system is so much easier to maintain and almost bullet-proof for a user. I'm not as fond of the Palladium silver nibs as the two-tone Triumphs, too. But no one else seems to share my preference -- which is find. More for me!!!

ElaineB

There is one variation of the Touchdown that does not exist as a snorkel : the Tuckaway (which exists also as a vacuum-filler).

My first 2 sheaffer's arrived today, an aqua snorkel Statesman from Antionios, and an black Valiant TM Touchdown from the green board. Polished them up and filled them both. What great nibs! I think I could get hooked. They are somewhat thin for me, but the lenght makes up for it, and the nibs are great! Still interested in a 1949 TD though.. Thanks to all for the advice and help!

Kendall,

wait until you try a 1250. They are vac-fill, and thicker than the snorkels. The striated celluloid models are gorgeous.

Denis.

You know, I have a 1250 Tucky, and while the nib is sweet, I'm less than enamoured with the vac fill. I think a 49 Touchdown is calling me...

FWIW, I see far more Snorks than TDs and probably 3 or 4 times more TM models than first years.

Did the Touchdown series offer open, two-tone 14k nibs as an option?

Never mind, I just found the answer to my question:

http://www.penhero.com/PenGallery/Sheaffer...chdownEarly.htm

The Persian Blue Statesman, looks very nice!