I've had this pen for probably 3-4 years and just never inked it so I decided last night while rotating pens I would, I have never cleaned it but figured it was worth a shot. The plunger moved pretty easy and there was still the little book with the pen (box also) and it showed the proper way to fill the pen. All that said, here is what I know:

Sheaffer Snorkel with a Triumph nib with a date of late 40's to early 50's, maybe mid 50's

What I don't know is:

1) Barrel material?
2) Nib material?
3) should the gold band and clip match with the threaded part on the barrel?

I have no doubt that someone will correct me if I'm wrong but here goes...

It's a Sheaffer Snorkel Statesman. It has a Palladium-Silver (PdAg) nib and was the lowest priced snorkel white-dot model when it was introduced in the late 1956 (or thereabouts). As for the barrel material I don't know other than it's a type of plastic. As far as I can tell, the threads of these pens were always silver and so you do indeed have a match.

It's a lovely looking pen and I almost bought a Pd-Ag nibbed Sheaffer the other day. Let us know how it writes.

Regards,

Matt.

The nib is palladium/sliver, so it won't match the gold filled trim. I believe that is a Statesman model, but I won't swear to it. Barrel is, like all 1952-1959 Snorkels, polystyrene. Sheaffer did not date pens, so one cannot get closer than the '52-59 range.

I don't remember any gold fill threaded bands, all the ones I've seen are chrome plate, even the Crest and Triumph models.

Peter

If I say I agree with everything above, will we have quorum?

I will note that the Pen Hero description of the Statesman indicates 1952-1955 run, which we can probably view as the straight goods.

Ernst,

I've just had a look and indeed it does say that. However it also says that it cost $12.50 in 1956

I agree that it certainly looks like it was introduced in 1952.

Hey! I am writing with that very same pen as we speak. It's a great pen. Enjoy!

I have it in green, very smooth pen!

Thanks guys. Yes, it is a really smooth nib and I liked it instantly. It is a little hard to start after sitting but as I said above, I have done no cleaning to the nib. I'm glad I don't have a mismatched cap.

A different ink may change the hard starting issue. I had Slovenia Skrip in mine and "it" didn't like it. I put some vintage Skrip in "it" and it has not been a hard starter yet. I leave my pen open for most of the day as I am constantly picking it up and putting it down. I only cap it if I know I will not use it for long periods of time.

Well, still a hard pen to start so I'll try what Cathy tried and switch inks. I have LAMY Blue/Black in it now so will try Diamine Prussian Blue. Why the Diamine you say.....because that's the only other color/type I have.

Do let us know how that goes. It's funny how finicky some pens. Maybe they're just spoiled.