Removal of brass piece in end-cap of Sheaffer Connoisseur?

[Jon Szanto]

This is intended for Ron Zorn and/or anyone else who might be able to answer:

If you look in the back end (inside) of the barrel of a Sheaffer Connoisseur, you can see a small brass piece. I assume this is to add a bit of heft, but also can't tell if it is threaded on or what. I ask because a fellow pen person had discovered that Sheaffer piston converters are too long for this pen but a squeeze converter will fit.

My question, therefore, is can any modification be done, such as removal of anything at the end of the barrel, that would allow a bit more open length for the use of said piston converter?

TIA

[FredRydr]

I never tried to remove the weight. An alternative is a Sheaffer No Nonsense or Sheaffer Vintage barrel if you can stomach the mismatch. As for me, I'll just enjoy the sheer excitement of the squeeze converters.

[jar]

If you can find one of the converters for the Intrigues it often will fit.

[Ron Z]

Just back from Raleigh last night.... (really quiet show this year)

That brass plug is pressed in, and is pretty tough to drive out even when the back end trim and cap are removed, which is to say that I don't know of non-destructive way to get it out. It is so far down in that even trying to drill and tap to pull it out would be pretty difficult. It was added to provide some weight and balance to the pen. Sheaffer dropped it when making some of the Seas pens for Levenger, I assume because they had the transparent barrels, and knew that the squeeze converter was being, or had been, discontinued.

This is one of the pens that requires the squeeze converter. Don't throw away a squeeze converter when the sac dies. Rebuild it.

[Jon Szanto]

Thanks, Ron, as I suspected. I'll pass along the info. One day I want to give a try to rebuilding one of the squeeze converters, but so far none of my originals have failed!

[Ron Z]

A red end one has a PVC sac. Black end converters have a latex sac. Most have reached, or are nearing, the end of their useful life simply from age.

[Jon Szanto]

A red end one has a PVC sac. Black end converters have a latex sac. Most have reached, or are nearing, the end of their useful life simply from age.

Am I remembering correctly that the nipple end is placed in hot water to soften the rubber/plastic before popping it out to replace the sac?

[Ron Z]

I don't. I do put the bushing in hot water after it's out to get the plastic to close down a bit so that it is a snug fit on the piercing tube again. You do have to bump out the spots where the casing was staked was staked, and then once reassembled, stake it again so that the bushing stays in the casing.

[Jon Szanto]

I don't. I do put the bushing in hot water after it's out to get the plastic to close down a bit so that it is a snug fit on the piercing tube again. You do have to bump out the spots where the casing was staked was staked, and then once reassembled, stake it again so that the bushing stays in the casing.

Aha, glad I asked. I did remember you did something with hot water and now am reminded it was to return the 'original' shape of the fit. Thanks!

[Chrissy]

After watching a YouTube video by SBRE Brown I bought a crochet hook to safely pull out the plastic end piece and I usually use replacement PVC sacs whether they have a red or a black end. I've also done a couple of the slimline ones. I remember someone on here wanting a slimline replacement so I sent him my resacced slimline converter and he sent me his old one that needed a new sac. :thumb: