Hi. I previously asked about these pens elsewhere awhile back and now I am wondering if the answer was correct. I took some additional photos of the interior of the pens. It could well be that I did not show enough of the workings.

I am relatively certain that the blue set is a Snorkel. I even added some water and could test the nib from remaining ink. But now I am more confused about the black set. I don’t even know how to try to add any ink (water). Also, I have the damaged 3 black pen.

I do not see that there is a plunger type mechanism to the black pen on the second set. It tapers but I don’t see anything to unscrew.

Here is the previous info I got:
Blue set: Snorkel Statesman in Aqua with palladium silver nib
Black set: Snorkel Valiant model with gold filled band and 14Kt Triumph nib
Single damaged Black pen: could not tell for sure but thought a Snorkel Saratoga.

First off, I am a real greenhorn when it comes to fountain pens, but I have been reading about them on the web. The black sets seem so different. I have taken more photos. Can you please give me your identification of these pens, and also can you tell me how you add ink to the black set. The 3rd pen is damaged so I cannot add ink to it.

Here are the dimensions and markings on the pens/pencils:


Blue set:
Pen: approx 5 5/8ths inches long. Gold band approx. 3/8ths inch wide. Gold clip and white dot. No other markings on the plastic.
Nib: Sheaffer’s Palladium Silver Made in U.S.A.
Pencil: Just a tad over 5 inches long. 3/8ths inch gold band. Gold clip, white dot, and gold above the metal lead holder. Marked horizontally under the gold band: W. A. Sheaffer Pen Co., Fort Madison Iowa U.S.A., Made in U.S.A.












Black set:
Pen: 5 5/16ths inches long, Gold band 3/8ths inch. Gold clip and white dot. Vertical marking on the barrel: W. A. Sheaffer Pen Co., Fort Madison Iowa U.S.A., Made in U.S.A.
Nib states: Sheaffer’s, Reg. U.S. Patent Office, Made in U.S.A., 14 K.
Pencil: a tad over 5 inches, 3/8ths Gold bank, gold clip, white dot. But the entire lead holder area is Gold. Marked horizontally under the gold band: W. A. Sheaffer Pen Co., Fort Madison Iowa U.S.A., Made in U.S.A.












Black single and damaged pen:
Approx. 5 ¼ inche long – circumference just seems a bid larger than the others.
Gold band is thinner, 1/4th inch wide. Gold clip and white dot. Marking on the barrel lengthwise: W. A. Sheaffer Pen Co., Fort Madison Iowa U.S.A., Made in U.S.A.
Nib states: Sheaffer’s, Reg. U.S. Patent Office, Made in U.S.A., 14 K., but it is a wider size.








I am so confused. I do hope I will get a bunch of feedback here. Thank you.

I would basically concur with the previous information you received:

1. The blue pen is definitely a 1952-1959 Sheaffer Snorkel Statesman with palladium silver nib;
2. the second pen is definitely a 1950-1952 Sheaffer Valiant TM* (Thin Model) Touchdown with 14kt gold nib, since it doesn't look like it has a snorkel; and
3. the third pen looks like a 1950-1952 Sheaffer Sovereign TM* Touchdown (again, no snorkel).

At least that's what I've deduced from the photos...

The second pen will work the same basic way as the other two pens: you unscrew the knob at the bottom of the pen and the Touchdown filler should pull out carefully. If not, it will have to be repaired as part of the pen restoration.

Okay, I guess maybe I am confused by the terminology. Is a Touchdown still a Snorkel?

And also, I should be able to unscrew the bottom of the 2nd black pen set? Nothing even turns. The only thing that I can unscrew on that pen is at the silver bands below the nib. I presumed that was the only part that unscrewed.

Hope you will explain the Touchdown and Snorkel confusion I have, as well as the other. Thank you.

A Touchdown is not technically a Snorkel, though the Snorkel borrowed elements from the Touchdown. The Touchdown lacks a the Snorkel tube, rather you dip the nib and feed into the ink (because there's no tube).

You should be able to unscrew the blind caps on the Touchdowns and pull out and push in the plunger tube.

Touchdown - Sheaffer Touchdown Filling System at Penhero.com
-
Snorkel - The Snorkel: A Sheaffer Innovation In Filling at Penhero.com

Should explain it all. Yes, the blind-cap of the black pen should turn. If it is stuck it might need a little gentle heat. Try not to soak these, as the insides can rust. If you have never restored one, send it to a professional. Restoration usually runs around $30 - Penhero pen repair list

John

Thank you all. The additional clarification really helped. I just thought those black pens were different than the blue set.

Regarding the black set:
I am still really hesitant to try much with these pens. I keep hearing that phrase on some web site that I visited to try to do research "when bad people happen to good pens." I think maybe I should leave that tip for an expert.

Again, thank you all very much.

For what it's worth, the touchdown filler isn't a difficult repair. And your third pen, the black one with all the brassing on the cap band, isn't in great cosmetic shape. So, you can if you wish, work on that one without risk of damaging a highly valuable pen. That can give you the confidence to work on the other two. Admittedly, Snorkels are more difficult than touchdowns, but it's a matter of doing the research and getting the right parts assembled.

To repair the black touchdown you'll need a sac - size 14 I think - an "O"ring and maybe a blind cap gasket. All are available from a number of sources, including Tryphon.

Look around the forum if you want to give it a try.

The last pen is a 1949 Touchdown, it's a larger diameter than the later "TM" or "Thin Model" pens. It takes a #17 sac and the largerer sized o-ring, the ones from the Snorkel or TM touchdowns is too small.

They are fairly desirable pens as they were only made for one year.

If you are at all hesitant to repair it, send it out -- it's likely that the o-ring has rotted and stuck to the touchdown tube, and this is not really a "first pen repair" situation as you can strip the blind cap or or the threads if you are not careful.

Peter

Thank you all for the additional information. I really am not prepared to do repairs or send anything out at this time. My intent was to see if I could determine if they worked without possibly damaging them, to give correct information, and then list them for sale.

The only thing I thought I would do was to get ink, but I would have to send off for the correct type. By just adding a bit of water, I have been able test several.

In doing this little bit of research, I have also discovered how wonderful they feel and write. Plus, they belonged to someone special. Upcoming bills say they have to go, but I think I should be able to keep just one.

I need to keep one that does not need repairs; I like writing with it; and would probably not go for much money, anyway. Maybe I just keep researching to find out what one I can keep!

(Thank you for the additional note on the 3rd pen. I do so appreciate it. Hopefully someone else can eventually make it beautiful again, or use it for parts.)