Oddball Sheaffer Feeds

[Richard]

We all know about the white feeds Sheaffer used on some Balances in the 1939-1940 timeframe (shown here on a Valiant):

 

http://www.richardspens.com/images/coll/zoomed/balance_valiant_lf_back.jpg

http://www.richardspens.com/images/coll/zoomed/balance_valiant_lf.jpg

 

But how many of us have seen this kind of feed (shown here on an Admiral)?

 

http://www.richardspens.com/images/ref/profiles/balance/zoomed/bal_admiral_gray_feed_back.jpg

http://www.richardspens.com/images/ref/profiles/balance/zoomed/bal_admiral_gray_feed.jpg

 

Yes, it really is gray, not white. This is the first gray feed I've seen. Anybody out there seen another that you can be sure is gray, not ink-stained white?

[kirchh]

I have seen these but I do not think I own any. If I turn one up I will post a picture.

 

--Daniel

[DrPJM1]

I checked all mine and they are all black....no cigar!

[cherylmarie]

Since it's been six years since this topic was discussed, I thought I'd resurrect it.

 

I bought a group of old beat-up pens because there was an old Sheaffer and I thought I might use the nib on another pen. The Sheaffer turned out to be a military clip Valiant in marine green. I think that might be unusual? But the most oddball thing about this pen is the gray feed! I've searched the internet and found only a couple of references to it. Richard Binder discusses the gray feed together with the turned-up open nib, which this pen also has.

 

I'm a casual collector of fountain pens, but I love all of my Sheaffers. Is this pen worth more because it is rare?

 

In the photos, the nib looks white, but in person it looks gray.

 

Thanks for your comments! I love exciting finds!

[pen lady]

If these were made during wartime, could it be that Sheaffer just used whatever material was available?