Sheaffer Mystery Pen ...?

[J. Michael]

Hello, I bought a set of three vintage Sheaffer brushed stainless pens on the internet, thinking that the middle pen was probably an Imperial 444.  The shipment arrived today, and I have no idea what I've "boughten myself into"!  What I thought was a fountain pen, isn't.  I've looked all over the internet, and can't identify the pen.  What is especially strange (to me) is that the pen doesn't seem to come apart ... the barrel and the tip won't separate.  That surprises me because I can't believe a writing instrument this nice wasn't meant to be refilled and used for a lifetime.  Any insights would be deeply appreciated ...

 

Gratefully,

J. Michael

[Ron Z]

You can turn it into a fountain pen easily enough.  Remove the section, remove the spring from the end of the barrel, insert nib unit - one with metal section threads.

[J. Michael]

Thank you, Ron, but I still don't know what kind of pen it is, and as I said, the two sections won't separate.  Do you have any idea why?

[Ron Z]

It should come apart where the two parts meet.  The threads may be corroded, or gummed up with leaked ink.  A little heat where the sections meet may release it.

 

It's a RB version of the 444.

[J. Michael]

Thank you, Ron!  I finally got the two sections to separate.  Inside the barrel was an old, corroded Sheaffer Marker Refill with a Tektor Tip.  The cylinder had cracked and the contents had leaked out and then hardened, acting like glue.  I've finally cleaned it out, and I think it's ready for a fresh refill and new life.  Thanks for being so patient.  Your help is much appreciated.

[J. Michael]

So just for the record, I finally was able to confirm that my "mystery pen" is actually a Sheaffer 444 Marker, which is why it contained a refill with a Tektor Tip.  I've tried to find a silver 444 nib so that I could convert it to a Fountain Pen, but so far I haven't found one.  However, a very kind lady has a supply of vintage Sheaffer parts offered to give me an old gold-trimmed 444 Rollerball section at no charge, a generous offer that I happily accepted.  And thus ends my quest.