1943-5 Golden Brown Sheaffer Triumph Tuckaway Valiant II - fine+ nib

From the 1941 Sheaffer catalog: "The TUCKAWAY has been developed especially with one thought in mind -- to make a clipless pen that can be carried safely in any position. Diminutive when closed, full-sized when opened..."

The Tuckaway is a uniquely Sheaffer pen. It really is the perfect little/big pen with a cap that posts to make it comfortable to use even with large hands. Introduced in 1941 (without a clip) it was produced until 1949-50 in at least 5 different variants or generations across 3 different pen lines (Balance, Triumph & Touchdown). This pen is a 3rd generation Tuckaway from the 2nd generation of the Triumph line. Yes, that can get confusing. The unique characteristic of pens from this generation is the celluloid grip section.

The overall condition of the pen is very good. The celluloid is gorgeous with excellent color and clarity. The imprint and the filler knob knurling are deep and crisp. Perhaps the only flaw is a bit of plating loss on the clasp - what Sheaffer called the button shaped clip. This reveals that the clasp is gold plated silver rather than brass - a common thing for wartime Sheaffer pens.

Triumph nibs often have stubby points. I believe it is due to the short, wide tines. They are not generally ground to stubs but often have a stubby shape that produces subtle line variation. This pen's point is larger than is typical for the era and model. They were usually extra-fine or fine points. This one was probably considered a medium point which is equivalent to a modern, Western fine or Japanese medium. It is wet, smooth and has enough line variation to make you want to write lots of descenders and loops.

The vacuum-fil system has been restored with modern techniques and materials.  It should last decades and is guaranteed against failure for at least 1 year provide unsafe inks are strictly avoided.

Length
Capped - 113 mm (4.46”)
Uncapped - 98 mm (3.84”)
Posted - 131 mm (5.2”).

Diameter
Cap - 12.2 mm (0.48”)
Barrel - 11.4 mm (0.45”)

Filler
Vacuum-Fil

Nib
Modern Western fine / Japanese medium