What Sheaffers Have Joined Your Collection Lately?

[PAKMAN]

My latest was this 14k filled Sheaffer Imperial in the crosshatched pattern.

[Ron Z]

Those are pretty pens.  I've always thought that that finish had a silky feel to it.

[Targa]

I acquired some new PFM IVs recently.  One set is very pretty, but with an XF nib, which is uselless to me.  I did try it and tuned it to be a very smooth xf, but it is still destined to be display-only, sadly (unless someone wants to trade for  M - B?).  

The other "new" pen is not actually, but rather one I have had for many years, but only inked for the first time a couple weeks ago.  It's unusual.  I was told (by Pratt & Whitney's chief engineer who gave it to me) it was not only duly marked as a special-order, but made of a special bluish steel alloy used in jet engine turbine blades.

Speaking of dependable engines, I will also attach a photo from many years (decades, really) ago when I had the privilege of flying shotgun up above the arctic circle with an old bush pilot in a (P&W) radial engine Beaver, serial number 12.   The hydraulic hand pump for the flaps had broken and a mop handle was substituted.  

I'll also include a Balance II LE, lever action, I got for Christmas last year.  (No compass in the stock, nor a thing which tells time.)

 

 

 

[Greg W.]

Today’s pen is a short 1931 Marine Green Balance. I really like this color. 

[emetoyer]

On 12/21/2023 at 3:10 PM, Gadget said:

For good or for bad it joined the collection of ..Why !! it kinda just appealed to me.

 

[emetoyer]

Just now, emetoyer said:

 

Fascinating.  Sheaffer Textron Easton used to sell stationery sets under the Eaton label, the paper had the pattern that matched the cap of the NN pen.  I have a few examples left over from my college days selling paper in Cambridge MA. I did not know they sold the pens separately.  

Ron Z’s suggestion of turning the ball point into a NN fountain pen is brilliant - now if only you could find the Eaton paper stock that matches your pen!

(sorry, late to the party….) - peace - em

[Ron Z]

I still have the No Nonsense fountain pen that I bought on my way to college....  51 years ago.  I did replace the nib because it was so worn, but I still have the pen.  I took a lot of notes with that thing.

 

What's more fun than turning the BP NN into a fountain pen, is turning the NN fountain pen into a Connaisseur....

 

 

 

[MarcoA63]

The Sheaffer 500 Vacfill I sent to get repaired has returned, at last. Packing unit repaired 🙂

Here it is

 

[inkstainedruth]

20 hours ago, emetoyer said:

 

Oh, I like the design on the cap of that!   Don't suppose it was done as a fountain pen, though.  Sigh....

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[GlenV]

I like this size balance they make nice user pens and I think they’re pretty in this color pattern. The thinner ones are alot better to post without cap lip damage. Another one to enjoy.😊 

[jmccarty3]

Picked up a nice black PFM IV with a fine nib yesterday from PAKMAN at the Dallas Pen Show. I was telling him that my first fountain pen that wasn't a school pen was a PFM I.

[Ferrick]

I have acquired a NOS 1961 Sheaffer Imperial VIII fountain pen, ball point and pencil set. All three were still in their original 'cellophane' wrappers. The fountain pen is stamped with "Imperial VIII Fine", so that was easy. The ball-point has no markings on it but has the 'reminder clip'. The pencil however, I cannot work out what the stamping means. It is stamped with $10.00 and what appears to be "FTL". Is the $10 for the set (doubting that, but possible), but why is it that it is only the pencil with this price, and what does FTL mean? I have tried to photograph the markings. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

Best regards,

Ferrick

 

[FarmBoy]

Federal Tax Included

[InkyProf]

I had no idea fountain pens were subject to a 15% excise tax that started during the Korean War. (Or that pens with gold nibs had previously been taxed as jewelry.) Thanks — I learn something new here every day! 

[inkstainedruth]

The newest Sheaffer for me is a grey Snorkel I picked up yesterday (ironically at a sewing and fiber event for the other hobby).  I had two people walk up to me and tell me that there was someone selling stuff outside on the lower level and that she had some fountain pens.  (Also got what I think is a vintage Parker Duofold.).  

Not sure of the model yet (it might be a Valiant), but it does have a white dot on the cap, and has a two-toned Triumph nib.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

 

ETA: I tried checking various websites, but the (bleep) website seems to be down....   I think that was the one that had photos of the different models, showing the variety of cap bands and such.

[mariom]

Just picked up a nice little #2 self filler in BCHR with gold filled trim and a flexy nib. I think it dates from the late teens/early 20s but am happy to be corrected. Even though the pen was photographed next to a ruler, I was still somewhat surprised at how small it is in the flesh - 10cm capped and 12.7cm posted. The nib is capable of some serious flex, but sadly the ting feed just isn't able to keep up. Still some nice line variation available if I don't write too fast. 

[meiers]

Tom K. sends his regards:

[JonSzanto]

On 9/4/2025 at 5:15 PM, Ron Z said:

What's more fun than turning the BP NN into a fountain pen, is turning the NN fountain pen into a Connaisseur....

 

 

 

I've loved every one of the NN --> Conn conversions you've done! This one totally pops!

 

(Naturally, at this age, I don't remember how many you've posted and/or if I've commented on the same pen more than once...)

[Targa]

For  anyone that recalls, I had bought a PFM IV set and just-a-PFM pen, but lamented the xf fine nibs.  Thanks to Dale Beebe at Pentooling, I did acquire a broad and a medium nib, and have restored these to perfectly-pleasant working order.  (For me xf is not pleasant.  I understand there are those out there who think otherwise, and I have 2 blue xf nibs now available for sale or trade.)

Meanwhile, I very recently acquired a lovely Snorkel Signature pen & pencil set mint (except for engraving) in box.  Already fully restored, perfectly, by the folks at Peyton Street Pens, great shop.

I had not paid a lot of attention to the Snorkels for some years, but this one re-booted my admiration for the design.  I also have a plethora of 51s from the period, and am aware that the 2 pens were head-to-head and neck-and-neck competitors.  I have decided that, at least for me, the Snorkel was the better pen.  There are arguments about the 51 being more readily serviced / repaired, but I have no issues with the relatively easy restoration of Snorks (including PFM), especially these days when the various gaskets and O-rings are in ready supply.  

I have some older ("fat model") Touchdowns, and "New Crest", and thought it interesting to compare ...  The new Crest is very much the same size and shape as the Snorkel, though heavier in the case of the metal models, and they are both rather longer than the original "fat" Touchdown.  It's a small detail, but I think the sculpted edge and upturn of the tip of the nib is nicest in the Snorkel.  Mind you, the new Crest writes very nicely.

1949-ish fat touchdown side view

 

Snorkel side view

 

New Crest side view

 

Comparing lengths

 

Nice set in box

 

[Amberjack]

Found out recently that I had several family members who worked at the Fort Madison factory over the years.  Already a Sheaffer fan, the brand holds a little more interest for me these days.

 

Today’s mail brought this, a 1950s Craftsman in Persian Blue, 14k no. 33 nib, touchdown filler.

 

Terrific shape and easy on the wallet, as they were when they were new.