Found Sheaffer's Fountain Pen

[rmizrahi]

While rummaging through some old boxes in my basement, I found this old Shaeffer's Fountain pen. It looks like it comes from a desk set, but there's no desk set with it. Sorry about the poor images from my phone.

 

This is the overall look of the pen:

http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/l609/rmizrahi/IMAG0258.jpg

 

Here is the pen disassembled:

http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/l609/rmizrahi/IMAG0257.jpg

 

Close-up (best I can do with phone cam) of the Nib:

 

The nib appears to be quite flexible, though I have not yet filled the pen with ink (since finding it).

http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/l609/rmizrahi/IMAG0254.jpg

 

The pen body has the following inscription:

'W.A. SHEAFFER PEN CO.

FORT MADISON, IOWA,U.S.A

MADE IN U.S.A'

 

The Nib has the following inscription:

'SHEAFFER'S

REG.U.S.PAT.OFF.

14K

MADE IN U.S.A

F2'

 

The F2 on the nib appears to have been inscribed by a standard pulsating engraving tool.

 

I'm not sure how to clean/fill/use, etc. Any thoughts? Do you have any knowledge of this pen?

 

As of now I've mostly played with the mechanism to determine what to do with it. There is a tube that comes out of the nib when I turn the back end of the pen body. I assume that is the filling mechanism. I am also able to pull the back end of the body out with a piston action. Not sure what this would do, but don't want to try it with my bulletproof Noodler's inks without a little advice first...

 

Thanks! (and have a very safe, healthy and Happy New Year!!!

[jar]

You have a Sheaffer Snorkel Desk Pen. It will need a base and likely new sacks and washers. It fills on the down stroke of the piston.

[Scrawler]

And to think I recently found a desk set without any pens in the recycle/reuse bin at my local dump.

[rmizrahi]

You have a Sheaffer Snorkel Desk Pen. It will need a base and likely new sacks and washers. It fills on the down stroke of the piston.

 

Wow! That was fast!

 

Thanks! (except now I have several more questions!)

 

Where can I get new sacks and washers? Can I try the pen without that, or do I risk changing the color of my home?

 

The piston mechanism seems to be a little weird. It seems to work by turning the back-end of the pen. Should it work by pulling the piston out and letting it return?

 

Can I use the base that came with another pen? I have this one...

http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/l609/rmizrahi/50953483-orig.jpg

 

It's also by SHEAFFER'S, but is quite worn. The original pen was a ball-point. It's probably exactly 33 years old (or so). Can I get the gold updated? Can I convert this to a fountain pen?

 

Can you buy bases by themselves? How would you begin the process of finding the right one?

[jar]

You have a Sheaffer Snorkel Desk Pen. It will need a base and likely new sacks and washers. It fills on the down stroke of the piston.

 

Wow! That was fast!

 

Thanks! (except now I have several more questions!)

 

Where can I get new sacks and washers? Can I try the pen without that, or do I risk changing the color of my home?

 

The piston mechanism seems to be a little weird. It seems to work by turning the back-end of the pen. Should it work by pulling the piston out and letting it return?

 

Can I use the base that came with another pen? I have this one...

 

 

It's also by SHEAFFER'S, but is quite worn. The original pen was a ball-point. It's probably exactly 33 years old (or so). Can I get the gold updated? Can I convert this to a fountain pen?

 

Can you buy bases by themselves? How would you begin the process of finding the right one?

 

Lots of questions.

 

Start here for how to fill

 

IIRC the desk trumpet for the snorkels was threaded. like a cap. One for a ball point will not work well.

 

Several members here collect Sheaffer Desk Sets and I imagine they will chime in soon on what to look for in a replacement.

[Roger W.]

As jar stated the socket (trumpet) is threaded as you can see your section is threaded. Simple bases, as most all bases from the 50's are simple, can be found on Ebay. listing. This one is a bit pricey but it looks to be a 2702-J which is an appropriate base. I'd think you could find one for $10.

 

Roger W.

[rmizrahi]

As jar stated the socket (trumpet) is threaded as you can see your section is threaded. Simple bases, as most all bases from the 50's are simple, can be found on Ebay. listing. This one is a bit pricey but it looks to be a 2702-J which is an appropriate base. I'd think you could find one for $10.

 

Roger W.

 

Thanks for the reply, Roger.

 

I found this one (Link to item on eBay) on eBay, which is also quite expensive and for two pens, but it doesn't state that it's threaded. There's another one for $9.99, which I mistakenly bid on, but it states that it's not threaded.

 

 

What are the chances of finding a threaded base-only deal? Also, can I use a non-threaded trumpet until I get something else? I really want to try this pen. If the dual pen base works, what are the chances of finding a pen-only deal to fill the other trumpet?!

 

Also, is it possible to find a cap that will work with this pen? What type of cap will work?

 

Thanks!

 

Reuven

Edited December 29, 2011 by rmizrahi

[rmizrahi]

Okay... this just got much more difficult for me...

 

I flushed the pen with some J.B's Perfect Pen Flush using the instructions Jar posted. I had already cleaned the pen thoroughly with water (at least I thought I had). I noticed little clouds of black ink in my jar of flush... hmmm...

 

Took the pen out and started writing with it.

 

WOW!

 

Excellent flex. Very little railroading. Very nice! Okay. The search is now on. How do I get to the point of using this pen fairly regularly? Will I ruin the pen if I use the non-threaded trumpet? Where can I get parts and instructions for refurbishing the pen?

 

What's a great pen for writing with a flexible nib? Is there a great pen for under $100? under $200?

[Ernst Bitterman]

Yours is the least expensive one listed on this label (which is the most basic sort of desk mount):

http://dirck.delint.ca/beta/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Sheaffer-0333c.jpg

 

The business end of the thing is same as in the Admirals of the day, and they do tend towards springiness. I've got some refitting directions on my site, but I'd suggest a look about at other sources to ensure a complete understanding.

 

I think the main problem about a non-threaded socket will be a tendency to go dry; it's not going to seriously damage the pen, but it will be annoying and could shorten the life of the soft rubber components.

[rmizrahi]

Yours is the least expensive one listed on this label (which is the most basic sort of desk mount):

http://dirck.delint.ca/beta/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Sheaffer-0333c.jpg

 

The business end of the thing is same as in the Admirals of the day, and they do tend towards springiness. I've got some refitting directions on my site, but I'd suggest a look about at other sources to ensure a complete understanding.

 

I think the main problem about a non-threaded socket will be a tendency to go dry; it's not going to seriously damage the pen, but it will be annoying and could shorten the life of the soft rubber components.

 

Thanks for the reply and the link. Looks like some good detail there.

 

I'm not sure if I should be saying '...you get more mileage from a cheap pair of sneakers...' or '...doesn't look like it's worth putting much time into this...'???

 

I like the way it writes. I think it's interesting that the flush seems to have released enough dried ink from the inside of this old beater that I was able to write with it. Is that common? I have it cleared now. Should I ink it up?

 

Another note... after getting it really cleared, I looked at the tip with a magnifying glass and it appears that there is space between the tines of the nib. Is that common?

 

Sorry I'm asking so many questions, but I'm pretty much a newbie at this...

 

Thanks again!

 

R

[Ernst Bitterman]

A little space is fine, as long as the walls of the slit are either parallel or tend to get closer at the tip. If they seem to be spreading, you may be having a little too much fun with the flexing. As far as getting it back on its feet... well, if you've got a place you can put a desk pen, it's a very handy thing. I've got one (obviously), which lives at my day job. If I had a different, non-anchored day job, I don't know how much use I'd get out of a well-functioning desk pen.