I got the pen for $7.50 because I had another flat top that I got about 15 years ago. That one had a broken nib, was missing the lever and pressure bar. I got it at an antique store for $20. I figured some day I'd find parts to fix it.
Click to view attachment
The nib and lever now reside in that pen as seen below. I used an Esterbrook J bar instead of the one that came with the "bone" pen because it was shot. Here is the nib and lever from the pen that was on ebay.
Click to view attachment
Full Version: Remember the bone Sheaffer?
You did good. Nice to see a decent pen restored and the "bone pen" finally buried.
Congratulations !!! Like I said: hard to find such a wonderful nib for so little money. You had a purpose for it. Your black flattop is now brought back to life again and is ready for many years to come. Enjoy it !
I actually like the look of the bone pen. 
QUOTE(Martius @ May 16 2008, 02:20 PM) [snapback]612799[/snapback]
I actually like the look of the bone pen.
The top of the cap was crumbling. More of it had flaked off when I got it than was in the picture. The cap broke in two when it was tightened. It cracked around from the vent hole to the vent hole on the other side. The crumbling had gone down to the clip which was loose. The clip was not just 60%-70% brassed. It was 60-70% solid rust. The barrel was more discolored in reality than it appeared in the picture. The pressure bar was corroded to the point that there was no spring left in it. There was nothing to salvage in this sad old jade pen except the nib and lever.
Off to the boneyard, then?
QUOTE(Ernst Bitterman @ May 16 2008, 06:57 PM) [snapback]613037[/snapback]
Off to the boneyard, then?
May it rest in peace.
ANM, it's so cool that you got this pen and were able to restore yours!!
QUOTE(ANM @ May 16 2008, 02:47 PM) [snapback]613028[/snapback]
QUOTE(Martius @ May 16 2008, 02:20 PM) [snapback]612799[/snapback]
I actually like the look of the bone pen.
The top of the cap was crumbling. More of it had flaked off when I got it than was in the picture. The cap broke in two when it was tightened. It cracked around from the vent hole to the vent hole on the other side. The crumbling had gone down to the clip which was loose. The clip was not just 60%-70% brassed. It was 60-70% solid rust. The barrel was more discolored in reality than it appeared in the picture. The pressure bar was corroded to the point that there was no spring left in it. There was nothing to salvage in this sad old jade pen except the nib and lever.
Wow, quite a banged up Sheaffer if I must say so myself. Question is, what horrific exposure could have put the pen in condition like that? Most of the plastic pens from that time are still going strong even today - with maybe a crack or two, but no such structural collapse. Maybe the owner dropped this one in a Florida swamp, in which it lay for 40 years or so before being found by an eBay salvage crew (i.e., search lights casing the swamp for saleable goods).
That is a lovely black flat-top you've got there, though. I'm glad that old crumbling wreck could give the black one new life.
Best,
Summer Greer
QUOTE(Martius @ May 16 2008, 08:47 PM) [snapback]613150[/snapback]
QUOTE(ANM @ May 16 2008, 02:47 PM) [snapback]613028[/snapback]
QUOTE(Martius @ May 16 2008, 02:20 PM) [snapback]612799[/snapback]
I actually like the look of the bone pen.
The top of the cap was crumbling. More of it had flaked off when I got it than was in the picture. The cap broke in two when it was tightened. It cracked around from the vent hole to the vent hole on the other side. The crumbling had gone down to the clip which was loose. The clip was not just 60%-70% brassed. It was 60-70% solid rust. The barrel was more discolored in reality than it appeared in the picture. The pressure bar was corroded to the point that there was no spring left in it. There was nothing to salvage in this sad old jade pen except the nib and lever.
Wow, quite a banged up Sheaffer if I must say so myself. Question is, what horrific exposure could have put the pen in condition like that? Most of the plastic pens from that time are still going strong even today - with maybe a crack or two, but no such structural collapse. Maybe the owner dropped this one in a Florida swamp, in which it lay for 40 years or so before being found by an eBay salvage crew (i.e., search lights casing the swamp for saleable goods).
That is a lovely black flat-top you've got there, though. I'm glad that old crumbling wreck could give the black one new life.
Best,
Summer Greer
I can't recall seeing a pen in a more advanced state of deterioration. Swamp or flooded basement or baking hot attic... something did a real job on it.
Good catch, ANM!
deleted
QUOTE(Martius @ May 16 2008, 04:47 PM) [snapback]613150[/snapback]
QUOTE(ANM @ May 16 2008, 02:47 PM) [snapback]613028[/snapback]
QUOTE(Martius @ May 16 2008, 02:20 PM) [snapback]612799[/snapback]
I actually like the look of the bone pen.
The top of the cap was crumbling. More of it had flaked off when I got it than was in the picture. The cap broke in two when it was tightened. It cracked around from the vent hole to the vent hole on the other side. The crumbling had gone down to the clip which was loose. The clip was not just 60%-70% brassed. It was 60-70% solid rust. The barrel was more discolored in reality than it appeared in the picture. The pressure bar was corroded to the point that there was no spring left in it. There was nothing to salvage in this sad old jade pen except the nib and lever.
Wow, quite a banged up Sheaffer if I must say so myself. Question is, what horrific exposure could have put the pen in condition like that? Most of the plastic pens from that time are still going strong even today - with maybe a crack or two, but no such structural collapse. Maybe the owner dropped this one in a Florida swamp, in which it lay for 40 years or so before being found by an eBay salvage crew (i.e., search lights casing the swamp for saleable goods).
That is a lovely black flat-top you've got there, though. I'm glad that old crumbling wreck could give the black one new life.
Best,
Summer Greer
No alligator in that swamp search?
-Mario
maybe a small alligator chewed one it a little and spit it out
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