Whilst i make no claims to wootonian expertise regarding celluloid flat-top Sheaffers from the 1920's-1930's, I do own a fair bunch, have sold a share, have read most of the available catalogue copies out there (and recall some of the data contained within), and have examined many hundreds if not thousands in person (at pen shows) and on ebay during the last 10 years or so.

So you can imagine my happiness at finding a previously unseen-by-me Coral Red (sort of a Duofold Orange) celluloid flat-top Sheaffer here at the New York/New Jersey Pen Show. Indeed, i promptly showed it to that Sheaffer Guy from NJ who dedings "51" caps, and he too had no recollection of seeing one before. Showed it to a couple pen dealers from the east coast who have been in the game longer than I have... nope, not a familar pen.

So, as part of a trade, i sent a lovely painted John Holland pen over to the table held by that pen author guy from Albany and took possession of this nice orange Sheaffer.

Exotic little Sheaffer. Perhaps it is catalogued, and we just don't recall. But, it goes into my personal collection. Such a weird pen. Just add this tale to the charm of going to pen shows. Nothing like it.

Thanks for reading my tale of pen happiness.

regards

david


Addm: Pic posted a few posts below.

-d

Do you actually expect us to believe this "tall tale" without a photo?

Not that I'm skeptical, I just want to see the pen!

andy

Hmmm... wootonian...don't recall that in my physics text. Must have been out at that frat party late that night previous. Ancient history.

Sounds like an exciting find, D. I don't recall seeing it at the Michigan show on his table, though I have recurrences of CRS.

I'm sure you won't forget to treat us to photos, particularly since it doesn't seen to be cataloged.

Oh, the pen was not his. I will have to shoot pic (rough shot without my usual set up) tonight.

d

OK.

Here is pic of the pen (limited shot, as I'm traveling and don't have my light kit with me)

For comparison. Here is what I expect from orange (coral red) plastic from SHeaffer in the 1920's.

GF Trim. Presence of cap-band. Usually 3-25 model (early ones were 46 Special).





This pen however, of about same diameter as the 3-25, is shorter than the long clip pen, it is bandless with a single thin groove in the cap. The trim is chrome tone , not GF. The section and nib suggest 1935+ ish styling, whilst the barrel suggest earlier issue, though I can imagine how the early and late mesh and in any case the date of the section assembly is less key to what is interesting about the pen.

Anyway, here i the new pen. I don't recall it being catalogued. Info of course welcomed.




regards

david

See, this is why people should engrave their pens. If this had a name on it, or even a phone number, you could call the previous owner and ask them where they got it!

Possibly late production, early 30's? It does have a very similar cap to that of my demonstrator. Nice find david!

Gosh, Wootenian (no last "o")... Anyway, I happen to have one of these (what were the chances?). I would suggest that these were service pens though unmarked. Mine sports a No. 2 nib which is terribly undersized for the model. Yours simply has late guts on an essentially 1927-1930/31 pen. Niether one of ours is marked 3-25, which suggest later than newer so 1930-'31 or, never intended to be marked as it was just knocked out for a service pen. Which is a deliberate use or production of what looks like an off piece to us today. Still, no plastic source designation of C, D or F so 1927-1931 as they still have pin retained levers though we still don't know if always and everywhere ring retained levers were in everything after 1930. Though the high placed clip says to me 1931 or before. So I'm happy with them being 1927-1930/31 as I said in the first place (4-5 year span). Now these also could be remakes of the RHR 46 Specials that had no bands from 1923 in a radite model though neither are 46 Specials as would be expected if this were the case or even 3-25's for that matter. Anyway, my bad pics to follow -



Bandless service style pen.



No. 2 nib from circa 1925 but probably a late application in this case.