1936-7 Gray Pearl Sheaffer Balance Standard Size extra-fine Feather Touch 5 nib - Vacuum-Fil

This pen is further evidence of my assertion that the Sheaffer Feather Touch 5 nib is one of the best production nibs of all time. A wet, smooth extra-fine point with gorgeous bounce that produces subtle line variation under normal writing pressure. It isn't flexible or semi-flexible. Rather it is a nib that can be used by those patient enough to coax it to excel or those of us who write ridiculous rapidly. 

The chrome trim on this pen is in good condition for a pen from this era. The chrome plating on poorly cared for pens tends to flake and pit. This pen was kept properly and shows only micro-scratches on the clip and band.

The celluloid has good color and clarity. The psychedelic photo is looking into the barrel of the disassembled pen from the nib end. The clear stripes show some ambering though the video shows the mechanism is still clearly visible.

The filling system has been restored with modern synthetic materials that will last decades. The original, celluloid covered filler rod remains in excellent condition and did not need replacing.

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

Length
Capped - 135 mm (5.3”)
Uncapped - 114 mm (4.5”)
Posted - 156 mm (6.2”).
Diameter
Cap - 13.3 mm (0.52”)
Barrel - 11.2 mm (0.44”)

Filler
Vacuum-Fil

Nib
Extra-Fine with lovely line variation