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Tools · 31 December 2009, 06:54 AM

Way back in 1912, Walter Sheaffer turned his jewelry shop into a Pen Factory...and some history was born.. He invented the lever fill for Fountain Pens and revolutionised the Pen industry....

This isn't about the lever fill though, but the follow-on and the pen as we know it now.. Before 1929, Sheaffer's were flat at both ends...However, in 1929, he then developed what was called the Balance Pen... a pen that was tapered at both ends.. It's the way most Fountain Pens look today.. (I do have one of those from the early 30's, lever fill)...

Since Sheaffer started out as a jeweler, there were broad gold bands and gold clips etc on his fine pens... He was also one of the few who put the pen and mechanical pencil together..

From the mid-1940's, I have this set:

Sheaffer's have been made in the original factory since then, although everything is downsizing today:

This "Balance Pen" is from the time they were downsizing and making pens a bit slimmer than earlier versions:

This was also one of the first "Vac-Fil" pens of the day that used an unscrewable piston in the end to suck up the ink and this may have been the future if Waterman had not invented the cartridge system in the 50's:

Photography does not do this pen justice as the colors of red's, greens, and blacks change depending on the light..

This old gal is showing her age with some discoloration of the gold and nib...but I'll bet that if she was cleaned up and filled, it would still make a fine writing instrument:

chriseskew24 · 31 December 2009, 07:04 AM

A real beauty.. You guys are makeing me think I need some nice wrighting instruments.. maybe they will even make me spell better :)

sunburst · 31 December 2009, 07:07 AM

Larry, nice set!

You've kept them in an excellent condition.

What material is the pen made of ?

R1@160@alltimes · 31 December 2009, 07:09 AM

Nice vintage writer, Larry.

TattooedGQ · 31 December 2009, 07:20 AM

Very nice, the green's excellent!

Skullring · 31 December 2009, 12:48 PM

Beautiful pen Larry. I love the nib

Bisquitlips · 1 January 2010, 08:18 AM

Wonderful set Larry.

I have about 3 of these and love them all. Good photos also!

Lion · 1 January 2010, 01:31 PM

Larry, That's a very nice pair!!!

Safetrends · 1 January 2010, 01:36 PM

Cool!

Andad · 1 January 2010, 01:46 PM

Nice one Larry.

I remember my first fountain pen around 1955.

It had the lever action but I can't even remember the make??

Shangas · 1 January 2010, 02:37 PM

Very nice!

Sunburst, the pen is probably made of a combination of gold, steel and celluloid plastic.

goodguy · 5 February 2010, 09:11 AM

What a beauty!!!

Sheaffer Vac-fillers are among my favorite filling mechanism.
These pens were super cool and excelent writers.
I have one Vac-fill Balance fully restored by SMG.
Lately I found I dont use it as much because of my new L2K but I really should fill my Sheaffer and use it.

JimC · 7 February 2010, 07:15 AM

Very nice set, Larry! Great photos to show them off, too.

31 December 2009, 06:54 AM	#1
Tools TRF Moderator & 2025 Titanium Yacht-Master Patron Join Date: May 2007 Real Name: Larry Location: Mojave Desert Watch: GMT's Posts: 43,645	My Second Oldest Pen... Way back in 1912, Walter Sheaffer turned his jewelry shop into a Pen Factory...and some history was born.. He invented the lever fill for Fountain Pens and revolutionised the Pen industry.... This isn't about the lever fill though, but the follow-on and the pen as we know it now.. Before 1929, Sheaffer's were flat at both ends...However, in 1929, he then developed what was called the Balance Pen... a pen that was tapered at both ends.. It's the way most Fountain Pens look today.. (I do have one of those from the early 30's, lever fill)... Since Sheaffer started out as a jeweler, there were broad gold bands and gold clips etc on his fine pens... He was also one of the few who put the pen and mechanical pencil together.. From the mid-1940's, I have this set: Sheaffer's have been made in the original factory since then, although everything is downsizing today: This "Balance Pen" is from the time they were downsizing and making pens a bit slimmer than earlier versions: This was also one of the first "Vac-Fil" pens of the day that used an unscrewable piston in the end to suck up the ink and this may have been the future if Waterman had not invented the cartridge system in the 50's: Photography does not do this pen justice as the colors of red's, greens, and blacks change depending on the light.. This old gal is showing her age with some discoloration of the gold and nib...but I'll bet that if she was cleaned up and filled, it would still make a fine writing instrument: __________________ (Chill ... It's just a watch Forum.....) NAWCC Member

31 December 2009, 07:07 AM	#3
sunburst "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Real Name: Joji Location: KY, So. Cal., NJ Watch: 16800 Posts: 979	Larry, nice set! You've kept them in an excellent condition. What material is the pen made of ? __________________ Rolex Sub 16800 Rolex No Date Sub 114060 Omega Speedmaster Professional Sinn 356 Flieger II, Sinn 556, Sinn ST-140 Marathon SAR, Marathon GSAR

31 December 2009, 07:09 AM	#4
R1@160@alltimes "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: USA Watch: ♛ Posts: 4,408	Nice vintage writer, Larry. __________________

31 December 2009, 07:20 AM	#5
TattooedGQ "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Real Name: Justin Location: NY, USA Watch: yo self! Posts: 2,686	Very nice, the green's excellent! __________________ That boy's got the Devil in him. Rolex: I think I'm up to 9?? Omega: Got a few of those too. Breitling: And some of these.

31 December 2009, 12:48 PM	#6
Skullring "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Real Name: Phillip Location: Alabama Watch: Triple 6 SD Posts: 1,720	Beautiful pen Larry. I love the nib __________________ It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye. - Antoine de Saint Exupéry

31 December 2009, 07:04 AM	#2
chriseskew24 "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Real Name: Christopher Location: fort lauderdale Watch: Bunches Posts: 1,860	A real beauty.. You guys are makeing me think I need some nice wrighting instruments.. maybe they will even make me spell better :)

1 January 2010, 08:18 AM	#7
Bisquitlips 2025 Pledge Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Real Name: Richard Location: USA Watch: YM Deep Space Posts: 12,527	Wonderful set Larry. I have about 3 of these and love them all. Good photos also! __________________ Rolex Yacht-Master 40mm (SS-YG / Deep Space MOP) 16623 Breitling Aerospace Titanium / 18K with UTC. Omega Speedmaster 3510.50 Oris TT1 Pro Diver Regulator 43MM

1 January 2010, 01:31 PM	#8
Lion "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Real Name: Leo Location: Midwest Watch: GMT-II 16710 PEPSI Posts: 21,461	Larry, That's a very nice pair!!! __________________ SS GMT-II 16710 PEPSI(Z-serial#) THE ONLY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MEN AND BOYS IS THE PRICE OF THE TOYS!!! MontBlanc Meisterstuck Doue Silver Barley MontBlanc Meisterstuck Solitaire Doue Signum Proud Card Carrying Member of the Curmudgeons.....Yikes!!!

1 January 2010, 01:36 PM	#9
Safetrends Banned Join Date: Oct 2009 Real Name: David Walz Location: San Diego CA USA Watch: my hand. :) Posts: 9,156	Cool!

1 January 2010, 01:46 PM	#10
Andad 2025 Pledge Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Real Name: Eddie Location: Australia Watch: A few. Posts: 37,729	Nice one Larry. I remember my first fountain pen around 1955. It had the lever action but I can't even remember the make?? __________________ E

1 January 2010, 02:37 PM	#11
Shangas Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Real Name: Shahan Location: Melbourne, Austra Watch: 1957 Ball RR watch Posts: 312	Very nice! Sunburst, the pen is probably made of a combination of gold, steel and celluloid plastic.

5 February 2010, 09:11 AM	#12
goodguy Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Canada Posts: 26	What a beauty!!! Sheaffer Vac-fillers are among my favorite filling mechanism. These pens were super cool and excelent writers. I have one Vac-fill Balance fully restored by SMG. Lately I found I dont use it as much because of my new L2K but I really should fill my Sheaffer and use it.

7 February 2010, 07:15 AM	#13
JimC "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Real Name: Jim Location: Anchorage, Alaska Watch: Rolex Posts: 1,188	Very nice set, Larry! Great photos to show them off, too. __________________ My collection, in order of acquisition: 16610 Sub (Z serial) 16710 GMT-Master II (Coke and Pepsi) (Z serial) 16570 Explorer II (White) (F serial) 116660 Deepsea (V serial) 79270 Tudor Tiger Chrono (red dial)

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