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At first glance, it looks normal but this one has a collar that rotates on the end of the cup which, when turned, locks the pen in place. Sort of a variation of the pens which screw into the cup.

Is this common or rare? I have never seen one like it before.

Sounds like the Sheaffer Dry-Proof socket base. Roger Wooten has a great article about these on his site. See if this is what you have: Roger Wooten's site

Regards, greg

Greg, thanks for putting my article out there.

This is certainly the bell style dry-proof of 1940-42. This one is not in either the '40 or '41 catalogues so I would venture it is 1942 (no catalogue exists for '42). Does it have a sticker on the bottom with a model number? Also, the metal bit that the socket fits into - does this happen to be plastic covered? It seems that Sheaffer knowingly had to use metals that they knew would corrode for the war effort so a plastic or lucite is found on most of these 1942 pieces.

Roger W.

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It is a Dry-Proof set and there is plastic on the bottom of the socket and it appears that the bottom of the socket well is plastic too. There is no bottom to the socket well- it just goes all the way through and is covered on the bottom by the felt. I don't see a model number.

Sorry, missed seeing it in the catalogue the first time - the M508 is your model number and that is in the 1941 catalogue.

Roger W.

Thanks for the help.

I received today what appears to be a pre-1940 version of the Dry-Proof. The sac has ossified and is broken up, but I can't figure out how to disassemble the section from the body to replace it. Could anyone give me a pointer? Does it unscrew at the brass band? If so, mine might be shallaced in place - how would I go about undoing it?

Thanks.

Unless it is something unusual or has that staple mentioned by Roger, it should pull (wiggle) off at the section, not the band. If it is stuck, try heating it with a hair dryer. Don't let it get too hot though.

It does have the staple. How is that case different?

Thanks a lot.

Someone else will have to help you on that. I don't know.

The "staple" or key is in between the section and the barrel. That will only allow for the section to be wiggled straight off until the key clears the barrel. The dry proof must be made in this fashion as the section only with the key would be likely to spin - it needs the barrel to anchor to. Usually , these are just a little stuck and you hear a disturbing snap when they let loose but, they seldom really break. A little heat usually allows more give all the way round but, I tend to do it cold unless I'm not getting any give.

Roger W.

Thanks, Roger. It came off just fine.
I am now on my way to my first pen restoration

What size sac should I get for this pen?

Sac size - good question. Well, I looked at some sacs and an 18 seems snug and that is what is listed for it on the pen sac company site (forgot they had desk pens listed) so I'd go with an 18.

Roger W.

Well, I finally got around to buying the sacs & shellac. And it's done!

I'm now waiting to let the shallac dry to see how it takes ink
Can't wait to use it!

Thanks for all the help!