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Thread: Identification Help

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    Default Identification Help

    I have a vintage Sheaffer with a Watermans cap.

    I'd like to learn what model the Sheaffer is and whether its worth hunting a cap. I think its a full size Balance, but am not sure.

    I posted a photo of it on the Sheaffer group of Facebook. That hasn't yielded any real help yet.

    https://1drv.ms/u/s!AiHswN_3yTszk6Ex...WOuSQ?e=SUNDGb

    Do I post a photo here? Or how do I best get it identified?

    TIA

    More pics attached
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Last edited by LarryinIowa; January 10th, 2023 at 12:25 PM.

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    FPG Donor ♕ Chrissy's Avatar
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    Default Re: Identification Help

    Quote Originally Posted by LarryinIowa View Post
    Do I post a photo here? Or how do I best get it identified?

    TIA
    Yes please edit your post and add close-up photos in it. See ^^^^ FAQ Reading & Posting Messages > Attachments & Images.
    Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens

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    Default Re: Identification Help

    Photos added

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    Senior Member Jon Szanto's Avatar
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    Default Re: Identification Help

    From what I *can* see it most definitely appears to be a Sheaffer Balance. Nib looks clean and in good order, imprint looks pretty good and overall condition seems good, too. A shot of the entire barrel would help.

    ID for the actual model would be based on measured dimensions at this point, because similar models can look alike without any reference for size. Especially measure the width of the barrel at the widest part. Then take a look at Richard Binder's Balance entry, scrolling down to a table that has some measurements. Some of those are for the length of the pen, capped, which you can't offer. Still, we might get close with the girth.

    It is going to be a bit tricky to find a cap just out of the blue, because the threads might not match exactly or celluloid shrinkage on barrel or cap. Best thing would be to find yourself at a pen show and ask for loose caps. Barring that, you might find something at Five Star Pens, not certain. Is it worth all the trouble? Well, if it were an Oversize, maybe, and those early Sheaffer nibs are my favorites (I just bought an OS Balance almost solely for the nib). It is ultimately up to you as to how much the chase is worth.
    "When Men differ in Opinion, both Sides ought equally to have the Advantage of being heard by the Publick;
    and that when Truth and Error have fair Play, the former is always an overmatch for the latter."

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    jar (January 11th, 2023), Yazeh (January 11th, 2023)

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    Default Re: Identification Help

    The hunt is part of the hobby of pen collecting.

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    Prettypenguin (January 13th, 2023)

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    Default Re: Identification Help

    Looks like the girth correlates to an Oversize.

    Full image attached

    I'm guessing this will make finding a cap doubly difficult
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Last edited by LarryinIowa; January 11th, 2023 at 08:45 AM. Reason: addtl comment

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    Senior Member Jon Szanto's Avatar
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    Default Re: Identification Help

    Quote Originally Posted by LarryinIowa View Post
    Looks like the girth correlates to an Oversize.

    Full image attached

    I'm guessing this will make finding a cap doubly difficult
    To the latter, not necessarily! Black was the color that lasted from the first Balance to the last, and in the oversize there were two barrel variants, the earliest being a bit longer. I have both and will measure later today to confirm. Honestly, to make the pen whole you may be on the hunt for a 'donor' pen that might have other issues but the cap is good. It will be up to you how much of a chance you are willing to take (and spend) if you go that route, but sourcing just the cap has similar issues of finding the right one.

    Still, this is the hunt. Take a look at this auction; here you have the earliest version of the pen, as noted by both the clip (called the "hump style") and the length of the taper at the end, with is a bit longer than later models (as noted by the length *beyond* the end of the lever to back of pen. I am fairly certain yours is a later pen, being a bit shorter and also having a flaired section rather than a flattened edge.

    Anyway, I'll pop back in with comparison to my pens for certainty. Keep in mind that the black pens were likely the most numerous, and hence still show up the most, and often hold the least fascination for new users and might be less pricey.
    "When Men differ in Opinion, both Sides ought equally to have the Advantage of being heard by the Publick;
    and that when Truth and Error have fair Play, the former is always an overmatch for the latter."

    ~ Benjamin Franklin

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    LarryinIowa (January 11th, 2023)

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    Senior Member Jon Szanto's Avatar
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    Default Re: Identification Help

    Larry, I commented on the size in your post on FB. I don't know that I have a lot more to add at this point. We've touched on the cap issue - it will be somewhat difficult, and the other aspect is price. Sellers tend to put a real premium on price, some bordering (and surpassing) on gouging. Not much I can say about that, but I did come across this eBay listing for a cap that I believe would work. In spite of what they say, in situations like this I would certainly be sure they would take a return if it doesn't fit.
    "When Men differ in Opinion, both Sides ought equally to have the Advantage of being heard by the Publick;
    and that when Truth and Error have fair Play, the former is always an overmatch for the latter."

    ~ Benjamin Franklin

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    Default Re: Identification Help

    Thank you Jon for your excellent assistance.

    I am fortunate enough to have some nice daily use pens. I will keep my eyes open for a cap for the Balance with the intent of finding one at a lesser price than the eBay listed one. The Balance isn't worth the price of that particular cap - at least to me, its not.

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    Jon Szanto (January 12th, 2023)

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