1941 Marine Green Sheaffer Balance Vigilant - Vacuum-Fil - medium nib

Pen collectors describe this pen as a "military clip" pen. World War Two era US military uniform shirts had a flap covering the opening of the breast pockets. Regulation required that nothing within the pocket be visible. Some pen companies introduced cap designs to meet this requirement. This pen is a standard Sheaffer Balance Sovereign with the clip cleverly attached to meet the uniform requirement. Sheaffer had four such models: Valiant nee Statesman, Vigilant nee Sovereign, Defender nee Admiral and Commandant nee Craftsman. These pens appear only in the 1941 Sheaffer catalog.

This pen is almost like new. The only "flaw" to disclose is slight darkening of the barrel transparency. When new the transparent stripes were light green. They have darkened, or ambered, in spots yet much of it remains green as new. Otherwise the celluloid is perfect. The gold plated silver trim (probably coin silver?) is unmarred. It will tarnish black giving evidence that the base metal has high silver content. The normal brass base metal was not used for things like pens in 1941.

The filling system has been restored with modern synthetic materials that will last decades. The only necessary maintenance is an occasional dab of silicone grease on the filler rod to keep the seal working properly.

The nib writes a smooth, wet medium line. A bit unusual since most pens of this era have fine points. It is a lovely writer that will show off your favorite ink.

Length
Capped - 123 mm (4.83”)
Uncapped - 109 mm (4.28”)
Posted - 146 mm (5.76”).
Diameter
Cap - 12 mm (0.47”)
Barrel - 10.6 mm (0.42”)

Filler
Vacuum-Fil

Nib
Medium