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Vintage Sheaffer Questions

cskyle

By cskyle
in Sheaffer

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cskyle New

cskyle

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Posted (edited)

Last week, I picked up two old Sheaffer pens along with an old Parker. The Parker needed a good cleaning, but was otherwise functional and writes great. I am having a bit of trouble with the Sheaffers' though.

 

Here are the two pens:

 

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i320/kyle_74/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps1pysmtee.jpeg

 

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i320/kyle_74/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps4ykwzklr.jpeg

 

The one on the right is a "Prosperity Pen". I like it a lot, but it has a few issues. The clip is missing. But more importantly, the nib is cracked, so it bends away from the feed when I apply any pressure while writing. Other than that, the filling system seems to be working perfectly. It sucks up and holds quite a bit of ink.

 

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i320/kyle_74/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpskinqks3y.jpeg

 

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i320/kyle_74/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsw5ezjlcf.jpeg

 

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i320/kyle_74/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsqldwb8hl.jpeg

 

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i320/kyle_74/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsogiv5dth.jpeg

 

So my newbie questions for this pen are:

 

- Are replacement nibs available? Maybe it is a standard size?

- Is there any way to tell the year of this pen?

 

 

I have no idea what model the black pen is. It has a beautiful 14k nib on it. I like the look and size of it, and it writes really well. However, I think the filling system needs an overhaul. It doesn't suck up much ink at all (or maybe none, and I'm essentially just dipping the pen?).

 

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i320/kyle_74/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsxsjuf2rf.jpeg

 

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i320/kyle_74/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsfmsboplt.jpeg

 

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i320/kyle_74/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpshbai07d7.jpeg

 

This says

W.A. Sheaffer Pen Co.

Of Canada LTD Goderich Ont

Made in Canada

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i320/kyle_74/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps52s4ofg0.jpeg

 

The nib says:

Sheaffer's

Made in Canada

14K - 585

5

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i320/kyle_74/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsuyrsxmfk.jpeg

 

So my newbie questions for this one are:

- What is it? Any way to tell the year?

- Is it supposed to be a snorkel that is just not working?

 

I appreciate any help very much.

 

Thanks in advance.

Edited by cskyle
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FarmBoy Museum Piece

FarmBoy

Posted
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The Sheaffer is a Snorkel.

The other pen is not a Sheaffer.

San Francisco International Pen Show - The next “Funnest Pen Show” is on schedule for August 23-24-25, 2024.  Watch the show website for registration details. 
 

My PM box is usually full. Just email me: my last name at the google mail address.

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ELSpartan44 NOS (New Old Stock)

ELSpartan44

Posted
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So my newbie questions for this one are:

- What is it? Any way to tell the year?

- Is it supposed to be a snorkel that is just not working?

 

I appreciate any help very much.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

The black one is a Sheaffer Snorkel Admiral. You are correct in that it is not working. I would send it off to be restored by a professional, as it requires special parts, tools, skills, etc. if you don't want to destroy it. As for the year, you would only be able to get the production range, which I don't know for the Canadian ones.

 

A wealth of information on these pens here http://(bleep).com/website/sheaffersnorkelguide.htm and on a few other sites that can be found with a quick google search.

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3rdlakerobert Vintage

3rdlakerobert

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The Prosperity is a fascinating bit of fountain pen history. Investigate the links here:

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/287614-sheaffer-prosperity-pen/?hl=prosperity

 

You can probably find a suitable substitute for the Prosperity nib, but don't discard it. Keep it with the pen. Someone may want to have it repaired.

 

I'll dig out my Prosperity and see if I can find you a replacement for that nib by trial and error.

 

The Snorkel is an Admiral (at least that's what the US version was called). Might cost $40-50 to have repaired or you could spend a few hours reading and maybe $10-15 on parts and do it yourself, if you're inclined. The restoration will be "challenging."

Edited by Robert111
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3rdlakerobert Vintage

3rdlakerobert

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Posted

I see the link to the Kirchheimer article is defunct. Daniel will no doubt come nosing and provide a new one.

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kirchh Antique

kirchh

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Posted

I see the link to the Kirchheimer article is defunct. Daniel will no doubt come nosing and provide a new one.

 

Yep, sorry. Here's a working link:

 

Prosperity

 

--Daniel

"The greatest mental derangement is to believe things because we want them to be true, not because we observe that they are in effect." --Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet

Daniel Kirchheimer
Specialty Pen Restoration
Authorized Sheaffer/Parker/Waterman Vintage Repair Center
Purveyor of the iCroScope digital loupe

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Kelly G Collectors Item

Kelly G

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Posted

On the Snorkel, a basic question: does the snorkel tube extend when you turn the blind cap counter clockwise while holding the cap down in the barrel?

May we live, not by our fears but by our hopes; not by our words but by our deeds; not by our disappointments but by our dreams.

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kirchh Antique

kirchh

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On the Snorkel, a basic question: does the snorkel tube extend when you turn the blind cap counter clockwise while holding the cap down in the barrel?

 

You don't need to hold the blind cap down while turning it to propel the Snorkel tube; there's a spring inside that pushes the tube assembly out (and which thus indirectly pulls the blind cap towards the barrel) while you turn the blind cap.

 

--Daniel

"The greatest mental derangement is to believe things because we want them to be true, not because we observe that they are in effect." --Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet

Daniel Kirchheimer
Specialty Pen Restoration
Authorized Sheaffer/Parker/Waterman Vintage Repair Center
Purveyor of the iCroScope digital loupe

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DavidtheGnome Near Mint

DavidtheGnome

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Posted

I just had my Sheaffer snorkel which I purchased used on eBay repaired, I'll post an update once I have had a chance to evaluate the work. It cost about $40 including shipping. Prior to repair the snorkel would extend but would not fully retract into the body of the pen.

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