First Sheaffer Pen

[Ted F]

I've been into collecting Parker and Eversharp pens for some time but I just got my first Sheaffer. I found some information on PenHero and found out it is the 'Old Timer' model, but I do have a couple of questions. This pen has a gold colored XF nib but what is the nib material. PenHero also states this model was introduced in 1969 but is there a more precise time frame? Also, it came with a sac-converter that you squeeze and a couple of partially used cartridges. Can you fill the cartridges with a syringe? By the way, I'm really pleased how the pen writes. Attached are a couple of photos to show the pen.

 

 

 

 

Edited December 16, 2015 by Ted F

[Ernst Bitterman]

Someone with a finer sense of these things might be able to pin it down better based on the box; mine is exactly the same, got NOS from Peyton Street, so I'm pretty sure package and pen are contemporary. I have a notion of that form of the box being mid-'70s at earliest and persisting into the 1980s at least, and I'm pretty sure that trim of NoNonsense is likewise not much earlier than mid-'70s, but I lack any documentation to support the notion.

Edited December 16, 2015 by Ernst Bitterman

[Charles Rice]

Also, it came with a sac-converter that you squeeze and a couple of partially used cartridges. Can you fill the cartridges with a syringe?

Yes

 

The half empty cartridges can be used if you add some water.(but it's more trouble than it's worth. All of the old cartridges that I've had all were half empty (evaporation) so I just have emptied them and filled them with new ink.

[jar]

Nib is steel. Date is about as close as you can get. Yes you can fill the cartridges with a syringe but watch out for cracks. The newer Sheaffer piston type converter MAY also fit.

[Ron Z]

I thought that Sheaffer was using the blue box with "A Textron Company" in it in the early late 70s and early 80s, and that these were late 80s, early 90s boxes, before the padded rounded end things for the Prelude and Balance II.

 

Not that it is any kind of indicator. Sheaffer seemed to change boxes like we do socks, even in the same time period.

[Manalto]

Ted,

Congratulations on your foray into Sheaffer territory. The No Nonsense is a good place to start and the Old Timer is, I think, the most attractive model in the line. I have a perverse interest in the uglier NN pens (sometimes it's nice not to have to be too cautious about damaging your pen); my green one is the winner so far. You might enjoy some of the italic nibs that fit this pen; Sheaffer also marketed the NN as a calligraphy pen with fine, medium and broad italic nibs. All I've seen are made of steel (and pretty good), but others here can advise you on nibs available (or interchangeable) of other material.

Edited December 16, 2015 by Manalto

[Charles Rice]

Interesting to look at the box. Over the years I've bought my share of NN pens, and it could be that old age is getting to me, but I don't recall a NN ever coming in a fancy box like that. (A $2.00 pen in $4.00 box)

[Ted F]

Interesting to look at the box. Over the years I've bought my share of NN pens, and it could be that old age is getting to me, but I don't recall a NN ever coming in a fancy box like that. (A $2.00 pen in $4.00 box)

 

The seller on eBay (so it must be true) didn't sound like a dealer and did state that the box was original. The pen looks like it's unused. When I got it I did my usual routine of filling the pen with distilled water and letting is sit for awhile. When I emptied the pen there wasn't any hint of ink. The box is also in excellent condition and came with an instruction sheet.

[Ted F]

Another question. On the nib there is a large XF and to the upper right of the XF is a ®. To the upper left corner of the XF is some kind of mark (hallmark?) that's domed shaped, has what looks like two letters on the bottom and above them is a symbol of some kind. Does anybody know what that mark is? Also, the nib is steel but is the coating gold plating of just gold color?

[Ernst Bitterman]

That nib mark was the source of some confusion, cleared up in this entry. In short, it attests to the content of the plating,

 

I bow to Ron on the subject of packaging, too. He's been paying attention to this stuff rather longer than I have, and I can conflate things like most people can tie shoe-laces.

[Ted F]

That nib mark was the source of some confusion, cleared up in this entry. In short, it attests to the content of the plating,

 

I bow to Ron on the subject of packaging, too. He's been paying attention to this stuff rather longer than I have, and I can conflate things like most people can tie shoe-laces.

 

The hallmark on my nib is shown on a couple of the nibs in the post you listed. If it is for gold then it seems strange the the nib I have only has the hallmark, but nothing saying anything about gold. I'll post a picture of the nib later today.

[Ernst Bitterman]

Mine's the same, and I think that's so for the whole Old Timer breed. If I understand it properly, it's down to there being a mention of the gold plating in adverts, which they then had to satisfy some pickier jurisdictions (like France) was actually the case by the mark. Why they didn't add a 22K ELECTROPLATED line as well remains a mystery, but given the liberties that would be taken on eBay it's probably just as well.

[Ted F]

You know what the nib looks like so I don't have to upload a photo. I must say, for an XF it's a very good writer even on junky paper.

[dogpoet]

Beats out the Agios, then.

[Manalto]

Is the Old Timer different from the standard NN in any way other than the chasing? That is, does it have any other details that set it apart: weight, nib, etc.?

[jar]

Is the Old Timer different from the standard NN in any way other than the chasing? That is, does it have any other details that set it apart: weight, nib, etc.?

It had IIRC a plated metal cap insert and plated furniture and came in three or four different chasings.

[corgicoupe]

Yes

 

The half empty cartridges can be used if you add some water.(but it's more trouble than it's worth. All of the old cartridges that I've had all were half empty (evaporation) so I just have emptied them and filled them with new ink.

 

I just got a Connaiseur that I don't think was ever inked. I opened the box of 5 cartridges and they were all less than half full. How does the ink evaporate from *sealed* cartridges?

[jar]

I just got a Connaiseur that I don't think was ever inked. I opened the box of 5 cartridges and they were all less than half full. How does the ink evaporate from *sealed* cartridges?

The plastic used is permeable to water but the ink itself remains. Once you puncture one of those old cartridges just add water and shake. Jess like new.

[Sasha Royale]

I just got a Connaiseur that I don't think was ever inked. I opened the box of 5 cartridges and they were all less than half full. How does the ink evaporate from *sealed* cartridges?

The ink did not evaporate. The water component of the ink evaporated.

The plastic is "water-proof". It is not vapor proof. The minute bit of water vapor, in the air space, will find its way through the plastic (leaving behind the pigment). The same thing will happen with a plastic jug of water.

Edited December 23, 2015 by Sasha Royale

[Manalto]

Reconstituted cartridge ink is some of the best, blackest, slipperiest I've ever used. They should bottle the stuff.