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Paper Wants A Pen

1938-41 Gray Pearl Sheaffer Balance Statesman fountain pen & pencil

1938-41 Gray Pearl Sheaffer Balance Statesman fountain pen & pencil

Regular price $303.00 USD
Regular price Sale price $303.00 USD
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Vintage pens in this condition are uncommon. Chrome plating on vintage pens is often pitted or peeling. And UV exposure turns lovely, transparent barrels dark and murky. This set came to me in the original box complete with papers. It is immaculate. Truly like new condition. I believe it spent most, if not all, of its life in this box.

The only minor issue was that the celluloid covered carbon steel filler rod was rusted and ruined. I have replaced it with a custom made black oxide coated stainless steel rod that will last decades. The gasket and seals are modern, synthetic material. An occasional dab of 100% silicone grease on the filler rod will keep this pen going for another 80 years.

The nib is a wet, smooth and lovely writer with a fine, turned up, or waverly-style, point. Sheaffer was known for this style point they claimed was well suited to any grip or writing angle. I believe it's more than advertising hype but that, of course, is my opinion. The feed has an interesting notch on the front end that I like to call the shark mouth. These are not found on all Balance pens.

The pencil work perfectly and has graphite and a good eraser under the cap.

This pen is comparable in physical dimensions to a modern Pelikan M6xx or Sailor 1911L (ProFit 21).

The box and papers come with the set.

Length
Capped - 137 mm (5.4”)
Uncapped - 121 mm (4.75”)
Posted - 158 mm (6.2”).
Diameter
Cap - 13.3 mm (0.52”)
Barrel - 11.6 mm (0.46”)

Filler
Vacuum-Fil

Nib
Fine

 

Materials

Dimensions

Length

Capped:

Uncapped:

Cap Posted:

Diameter

Cap:

Barrel:

Nib

Filler Type

Care Instructions

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