Vintage Sheaffer...what do I have?

[gpjoe]

Found this pen at an antique store, and couldn't resist for 5 bucks.

I've established that it is a Scheaffer, possibly a Crest model, with a "Vac-Fil" mechanism. The nib wraps 360° around the feed, and is stamped "Lifetime 14k"

I couldn't figure out how to fill the pen and tried to unscrew the grip section. When that didn't work, I turned the other end and it unscrewed, revealing a plunger.

So far all I've done is very lightly polish some tarnish from the cap (which really accentuates the dents, previously hidden under years of patina ), and flush the pen with distilled water.

Questions:

Is the nib solid gold?
That would at least cover my investment.

Should I attempt to fill the pen?...and how do I do that properly?

When I flushed the pen, I submerged the nib and feed into water, pulled the plunger out completely, then pushed it back in to expel the diluted ink.

If you follow the same procedure with bottled ink, how the heck do you return the plunger without expelling the ink you just vacuumed into the body?

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Tommy Tutone]

Cool pen! Somehow I believe the pen fills on the downstroke through science and physics and engineering beyond me. Check vintagenib.com for other details. I bet that nib will be like butter once you get 'er filled..

 

[gpjoe]

Cool pen! Somehow I believe the pen fills on the downstroke through science and physics and engineering beyond me. Check vintagenib.com for other details. I bet that nib will be like butter once you get 'er filled..

You know, after I posted this thread, I did a Google search and it seems that you are correct: contrary to what I would expect, the pen seems to fill when you push the plunger in...the opposite of using a syringe...go figure.

But it makes perfect sense that you cannot leave the plunger extended.

 

[blethenstrom]

That is a cool Sheaffer. Now I am certainly no Sheaffer expert, but it could be some sort of a Sheaffer Crest pen maybe a Sheaffer Crest Lady. There are some sites out there that have a lot of Sheaffer information.

Yes it will fill on the pushing in on the plunger if it is working properly. These will have a latex sac internally to hold the ink and these over time tend to fail and have to be replaced, but you will know that if you cannot suck water up in it.

@nemo might have a better idea to identify this pen.

 

[silverlifter]

Photo of the front of the cap, including the clip would help. Also, there should be an imprint on the barrel.

In any event, it is a plunger filler, If the plunger moves freely, you can test it by filling it from a glass of water.

Submerge the nib completely and push and pull the plunger a couple of times to moisten the seals. Then push the plunger all the way down - you should hear a pop if it is working correctly. Leave it submerged for a couple of seconds then remove from the water and grab an empty glass (or, ideally a measuring tube), pull the plunger out and depress rapidly to squirt the water into the glass. It should be at least 1-2ml if the pen is working.

If it doesn't take a decent fill, you'll need to get the seals replaced. Gerry Berg is the Sheaffer plunger fill guy: his pens are guaranteed to suck! The nib looks like it could use some tuning as well.

These are awesome pens, congrats on a great pick up!

 

[silverlifter]

These will have a latex sac internally to hold the ink

No, these pens are sacless: the ink is stored in the barrel. The seals do tend to fail over time, but they are more robust than a latex sac.

 

[gpjoe]

Photo of the front of the cap, including the clip would help. Also, there should be an imprint on the barrel.

In any event, it is a plunger filler, If the plunger moves freely, you can test it by filling it from a glass of water.

Submerge the nib completely and push and pull the plunger a couple of times to moisten the seals. Then push the plunger all the way down - you should hear a pop if it is working correctly. Leave it submerged for a couple of seconds then remove from the water and grab an empty glass (or, ideally a measuring tube), pull the plunger out and depress rapidly to squirt the water into the glass. It should be at least 1-2ml if the pen is working.

If it doesn't take a decent fill, you'll need to get the seals replaced. Gerry Berg is the Sheaffer plunger fill guy: his pens are guaranteed to suck! The nib looks like it could use some tuning as well.

These are awesome pens, congrats on a great pick up!

Thanks. That is very helpful.

When I push the plunger with the nib submerged in water I get a flurry of bubbles, so the seal appears good enough to displace the air in the barrel. When I move to an empty bowl and expel the water, I get a pretty good amount... I have no idea how much as I have no means of measuring it. It's much more than mere droplets...a small puddle.

Oh, and I do get a "pop" at the end of the plunger travel.

I guess I'll empty it and let it dry over night and attempt to ink it up tomorrow. It won't be hard to identify me, I'll be the guy with blue hands.

 

[silverlifter]

Sounds like you got a perfectly functioning one: nice!

I'd look at the nib though, the tines appear to be too far apart at the tipping. Although those nibs are upswept by design. See how it writes first, though.

 

[gpjoe]

Sounds like you got a perfectly functioning one: nice!

I'd look at the nib though, the tines appear to be too far apart at the tipping. Although those nibs are upswept by design. See how it writes first, though.

Yes, I noticed that as well, the tip appears splayed a bit.

I suppose it can't hurt to try it...a few mls of ink is cheap.

How does someone get ahold of Mr. Berg?

 

[silverlifter]

I can PM you his details, but for plain nib work there are plenty of options (Gerry is a Vac-fill specialist).

I'd look at nib work with: Danny Fudge, Ron Zorn, Mark Bacas, Gena Salorino et al.

 

[gpjoe]

I can PM you his details, but for plain nib work there are plenty of options (Gerry is a Vac-fill specialist).

I'd look at nib work with: Danny Fudge, Ron Zorn, Mark Bacas, Gena Salorino et al.

Thanks.

I was just thinking that the pen may be working for now but...

I'm guessing it is all original, and wondering whether it is worth the investment to get the seal replaced proactively, and if possible, have him adjust the nib at the same time.

On the other hand, if it works and writes, it might be just as well left alone.

 

[silverlifter]

I'd see how it writes first; then you'll know what your starting point is. If it's all good, you can just enjoy it, if it needs tweaking then you can make a decision about a full service or just nib work.

 

[gpjoe]

Well, it writes, though a bit wet. Still, not bad for a $5 pen.

 

[ChefJohnBoy-ardee]

Those wire fillers are not cheap to restore. It works, I'd leave it until it goes! IF it ain't broke, don't fix it! I have a few cigar boxes full of old pens on the get repaired list but sadly they are just broken pens. A lot of them Shafer wire fillers from family members.

If the nib is writing fine, no hard stops, no drips, etc; same thing, don't mess with it. if it feels like it could use some minor tweaks you may be able to fix it with your thumb nails and a loupe. Don't use other tools!

 

[nemo]

Those wire fillers are not cheap to restore. It works, I'd leave it until it goes! IF it ain't broke, don't fix it! I have a few cigar boxes full of old pens on the get repaired list but sadly they are just broken pens. A lot of them Shafer wire fillers from family members.

If the nib is writing fine, no hard stops, no drips, etc; same thing, don't mess with it. if it feels like it could use some minor tweaks you may be able to fix it with your thumb nails and a loupe. Don't use other tools!

Good advice, John. Sometimes the cost of fixing a vac-fil Sheaffer exceeds the pen's value.
If it is actually filling it is rare, I've got a box of dead ones too.

 

[DrakeMegrim]

What a find. It's between that and a Parker 51 for my top vintage fountain pens. Just lovely little writers.

 

[Tirvine]

Terrific score. I had a Sheaffer desk set for many years. The fountain pen was as smooth as any pen I ever used.

 

[nemo]

I've got one that's a lever fill, Lifetime (white dot on barrel end) and a Triumph nib like a nail ... smooth, though.
Not sure of the year. Dot on the barrel bottom and non-visulated section seems maybe early?

And a Vac-fil. Bigger pen, at least thicker, than my other Crest pens.

 

[gpjoe]

I've got one that's a lever fill, Lifetime (white dot on barrel end) and a Triumph nib like a nail ... smooth, though.
Not sure of the year. Dot on the barrel bottom and non-visulated section seems maybe early?

And a Vac-fil. Bigger pen, at least thicker, than my other Crest pens.

Very nice

 

[silverlifter]

And a Vac-fil. Bigger pen, at least thicker, than my other Crest pens.

That's a "fat" Crest Deluxe. Lovely pen, Doug. $15 when it was launched.

Not sure of the year. Dot on the barrel bottom and non-visulated section seems maybe early?

Yours is after 1942, and before 1948 as the threads are at the back of the section.