Id And Restoration Question

[cwhite5]

I found this pen at an antique store for $8 and couldn't resist. The cap band has since fallen off, but I managed to resack it and it now works properly.

 

Could anyone identify the pen based on the pictures and this description?

 

It's a very small lever filler, the nib reads "SHEAFFER'S 3 MADE IN USA", the barrel reads "W.A. SHEAFFER CO. FORT MADISON IOWA, U.S.A. PATENTED IN U.S.A.", and the clip reads "SHEAFFER'S. The feed is very flat and has fins that do not go very deep, marked "L" on the bottom. The nib is very fine and has some flexibility. The clip and lever filler appear to have been gold originally, but have been abraded quite heavily.

 

I would like to take the nib out to thoroughly clean the pen, does anyone know how to do this? Is this recommendable?

 

Finally, I would like to clear up the foggy amber section and polish the pen overall- does anyone know what causes this and what would be best for this material?

 

[thedeacon]

I'm thinking Sheaffer Balance Junior. Maybe late 30's. As far your restoration questions, greater knowledge than mine will have to help.

[pen lady]

A pretty little pen and a bargain too. If you've already re-saced it, you'd have to take off the sac and use a knock-out block to remove the nib and feed from the "back-end", of the section, soak and re-set them and the re-sac again. If it were me, I'd just soak the nib and feed in weak ammonia solution and then flush it. As far as the "haze" on the section, try scraping it gently with a thumb-nail. If the ''crud'' comes off, I'd clean if very. very gently with a damp Mr. Clean Magic sponge. It is mildly abrasive, so not too much "elbow-grease"! Good luck.

Edited November 22, 2013 by pen lady

[cwhite5]

The haze does not budge with the nail test...

I'm pretty sure the fog came from aging and heavy use, as the whole of the pen is very dull and the level of brassing is so advanced.

 

Can anyone recommend a sort of polish safe for the pen?

[Roger W.]

This is not a Junior or it would say such on the clip. It is the lowest of the regular balance line though, lowest for Sheaffer is still the same quality as the top model just smaller lesser trim. Your cap has been trimmed down as it is unreasonably short and missing the band. You might be able to polish off the outer surface of the section to remove the cloudiness. Sections are not often damaged but it does happen. Grey pearl is one of my favorite colors. It is an M3VC as models are by code and not name until later.

 

Only take out the nib if it is not working as doing so is giving you a better opportunity to break something. As long as water flushes in and out reasonably there is no need to do more.

 

Roger W.

[cwhite5]

...Your cap has been trimmed down as it is unreasonably short and missing the band. You might be able to polish off the outer surface of the section to remove the cloudiness....

 

I sanded the cap down to just below the threads because when I posted the pen the first time a large portion of the material under the cap band fell to small chunks due to brittleness.

 

Thank you for your in depth info! it's way more than I was expecting!

[Ernst Bitterman]

The hazing might be due to someone using hot water to separate section and barrel; I don't know if polishing will shift it. Given the relatively late hardware, I'd hazard a guess that it's a Miss Universe (the short version of a Craftsman). Chrome plating is correct for a lot of models of that age with grey plastic, so the brassing may not be as profound as you fear.

[wastelanded]

Yep, these old dears don't like to be posted. At all. The grey/red marble is especially brittle.

 

How is the nib? Can we see a writing sample when all is done? The nibs on these pens were/are amazing.

[mhosea]

 

I sanded the cap down to just below the threads because when I posted the pen the first time a large portion of the material under the cap band fell to small chunks due to brittleness.

 

 

I did the same to a Balance Junior, or almost. Mine still has a cap band. Doesn't post well now, but then again, it never really did, which is why it got that way to begin with.