What Model Is This Sheaffer

[modaresi]

I have a pen which looks like a Sheaffer Imperial Triumph, however as you can see in the pictures, the pen is tagged VIII. I've always thought that VIII was a top of the line of the plastic barrel Imperials which came in different colors; But this one is gold plated. So does anyone know what model is this and when it was manufactured?

[alexwi]

Hi,

 

According to sheaffertarga.com, it's from 1961 (search for "VIII" in the page).

 

And here I am, thinking that Sheaffer's inlaid nib was introduced in the mid 70's with the Targa (one of the very few Sheaffers I like).

 

Alex

[modaresi]

Hi,

 

I looked at the website. The picture shows a plastic barrel.

[alexwi]

Hi,

 

It's possible that the web page's not all-inclusive. If we go by the sticker on yours, at least we know that the model (VIII) was introduced in 1961. Knowing when production ceased, might give you a starting range.

 

I'm not too much into Sheaffer (can't stand the short clips), but I know for a fact that the Parker and Waterman sites I turn to for this kind of research, albeit very thorough, don't contain all the information available. Like in this case with your pen, I have seen pen finishes that aren't listed there.

 

Then there's the possibility that your pen's mis-labeled, but I doubt that.

 

Alex

Edited June 24, 2018 by alexwi

[jmccarty3]

IIRC, the inlaid nib was introduced in the PFM model, which preceded the Imperial and the Targa.

[Ernst Bitterman]

My suspicion would be that the cap is not original to the pen. There's nothing to stop the cap of one Imperial from being stuck on another, and with a matching finish like that it wouldn't be immediately obvious.

[modaresi]

I think you are right, the cap is probably not the original. Because as far as I know Imperial VIII only came in plastic barrels.