Full Version: Question on Sheaffer Balance nib Numbers
I know that this question has been asked here before, but several searches here have netted me everything but what I am looking for. What do the numbers mean on the Balance nibs of the thirties? Numbers such as 5 30 and others If there is a reference source listing what they are and what they mean, I'd appreciate where I can find it. Thanks in advance.
5-30's (3-25's and 7-30's) are throwbacks to limited gaurantees on radite flattops. $5 pen with a 30 year gaurantee. This was dropped in the early 30's for 3's, 5's and 7's which relate to size and are priced accordingly.
Roger W.
Roger W.
So the 3, 5 and 7 relate to size (and therefore price). But exactly what does the 3, 5 and 7 mean about size? Are those numbers related to F, M and B? If so, which number corresponds to fine, which to medium and which to broad? And which would be more costly? Or am I guessing all wrong? (Wouldn't be the first time! 
)
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Kudzu;
Nothing personal but, why recently, have you folks been wanting the size of nib to have something to do with the point style? It is just the size of the nib. A 3 can be cut to any point style you want, I mean really, why not? It is just a small nib on a small pen (might find this on a service pen because they wanted it back and nobody would want a nice full size pen with an undersized nib). A 5 is a medium nib on medium pens (can be on an oversized balance - but this is a bit of an oddity). A 7 is an odd fish as you are now paying almost the same money for a lifetime pen so you don't see many.
A three in a standard cut point was $3 in 1928 and went to $3.25 in 1932 though in jade you paid $3.50 (1930) for it being jade as jade was always reserved for the big pens when a series started. You typically do not see anything but medium and to a lesser extent fine points. The catalogues and prices sheets don't even discuss point size generally from the late 20's and 30's. I imagine special points could be ordered for any nib but, probably for an additional charge. A 5-30 was $5 and a 7-30 was $7 - more gold in the nib (bigger) cost a bit more money in 1928. By 1930 this pricing model is adjusted for pen material black and pearl was more as was jade in the 3-25 pen (but not more in in the 5-30).
So, 3 is little, 5 is medium and 7 is big (Lifetimes vary in size but are tied to the white dot gaurantee). Any point could be cut to any style.
Roger W.
Nothing personal but, why recently, have you folks been wanting the size of nib to have something to do with the point style? It is just the size of the nib. A 3 can be cut to any point style you want, I mean really, why not? It is just a small nib on a small pen (might find this on a service pen because they wanted it back and nobody would want a nice full size pen with an undersized nib). A 5 is a medium nib on medium pens (can be on an oversized balance - but this is a bit of an oddity). A 7 is an odd fish as you are now paying almost the same money for a lifetime pen so you don't see many.
A three in a standard cut point was $3 in 1928 and went to $3.25 in 1932 though in jade you paid $3.50 (1930) for it being jade as jade was always reserved for the big pens when a series started. You typically do not see anything but medium and to a lesser extent fine points. The catalogues and prices sheets don't even discuss point size generally from the late 20's and 30's. I imagine special points could be ordered for any nib but, probably for an additional charge. A 5-30 was $5 and a 7-30 was $7 - more gold in the nib (bigger) cost a bit more money in 1928. By 1930 this pricing model is adjusted for pen material black and pearl was more as was jade in the 3-25 pen (but not more in in the 5-30).
So, 3 is little, 5 is medium and 7 is big (Lifetimes vary in size but are tied to the white dot gaurantee). Any point could be cut to any style.
Roger W.
QUOTE(Roger W. @ Jul 8 2007, 11:36 AM) [snapback]327843[/snapback]
Kudzu;
Nothing personal but, why recently, have you folks been wanting the size of nib to have something to do with the point style? It is just the size of the nib. A 3 can be cut to any point style you want, I mean really, why not? It is just a small nib on a small pen (might find this on a service pen because they wanted it back and nobody would want a nice full size pen with an undersized nib). A 5 is a medium nib on medium pens (can be on an oversized balance - but this is a bit of an oddity). A 7 is an odd fish as you are now paying almost the same money for a lifetime pen so you don't see many.
A three in a standard cut point was $3 in 1928 and went to $3.25 in 1932 though in jade you paid $3.50 (1930) for it being jade as jade was always reserved for the big pens when a series started. You typically do not see anything but medium and to a lesser extent fine points. The catalogues and prices sheets don't even discuss point size generally from the late 20's and 30's. I imagine special points could be ordered for any nib but, probably for an additional charge. A 5-30 was $5 and a 7-30 was $7 - more gold in the nib (bigger) cost a bit more money in 1928. By 1930 this pricing model is adjusted for pen material black and pearl was more as was jade in the 3-25 pen (but not more in in the 5-30).
So, 3 is little, 5 is medium and 7 is big (Lifetimes vary in size but are tied to the white dot gaurantee). Any point could be cut to any style.
Roger W.
Nothing personal but, why recently, have you folks been wanting the size of nib to have something to do with the point style? It is just the size of the nib. A 3 can be cut to any point style you want, I mean really, why not? It is just a small nib on a small pen (might find this on a service pen because they wanted it back and nobody would want a nice full size pen with an undersized nib). A 5 is a medium nib on medium pens (can be on an oversized balance - but this is a bit of an oddity). A 7 is an odd fish as you are now paying almost the same money for a lifetime pen so you don't see many.
A three in a standard cut point was $3 in 1928 and went to $3.25 in 1932 though in jade you paid $3.50 (1930) for it being jade as jade was always reserved for the big pens when a series started. You typically do not see anything but medium and to a lesser extent fine points. The catalogues and prices sheets don't even discuss point size generally from the late 20's and 30's. I imagine special points could be ordered for any nib but, probably for an additional charge. A 5-30 was $5 and a 7-30 was $7 - more gold in the nib (bigger) cost a bit more money in 1928. By 1930 this pricing model is adjusted for pen material black and pearl was more as was jade in the 3-25 pen (but not more in in the 5-30).
So, 3 is little, 5 is medium and 7 is big (Lifetimes vary in size but are tied to the white dot gaurantee). Any point could be cut to any style.
Roger W.
Roger,
I have two pens with Feather Touch 5 nibs, but the nibs are not the same size. They look to be the same length, but one is significantly broader (in width) than the other. Judging from the lettering on the two nibs, they date from different times, and, I suppose, if I knew more about pens, I could date them. Anyway, I was wondering was the size of a 5 simply the Sheaffer medium sized nib of the day, and was of no fixed dimensions over time, simply larger than a 3 and smaller than a 7?
Thanks,
Oliver
Oliver;
I'd agree with that in general, that the 5 was in between the 3 and 7, but I've not made any study on them. I believe Daniel may have greater details on measurements on these.
Roger W.
I'd agree with that in general, that the 5 was in between the 3 and 7, but I've not made any study on them. I believe Daniel may have greater details on measurements on these.
Roger W.
QUOTE(oliverob @ Jul 11 2007, 01:10 AM) [snapback]329756[/snapback]
I was wondering was the size of a 5 simply the Sheaffer medium sized nib of the day, and was of no fixed dimensions over time, simply larger than a 3 and smaller than a 7?
I think that's a fair analysis, and, of course, it comports with the nib numbering pattern that dates back decades in the industry.
--Daniel
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