sheaffer pen & pencil set

[benvh]

On Christmas I was talking to my mom and I mentioned how I used a fountain pen (Lamy) to write the note on their Christmas card. I also mentioned how I was interested in obtaining a vintage pen from the 30s or 40s. She said she had something for me and to keep an eye on the mail.

This showed up today...my grandfather's Sheaffer fountain pen and matching pencil I was already lucky enough to get his razor and brush...now this.

My question is this:
I know nothing about old pens and I'm not sure where to even begin. I noticed the cap doesn't screw down all the way and I think it's because of some tape wrapped around the threads to "fix" a small crack on the threads on the pen (sounds like something he would do).

Can anyone recommend a place I could send the pen that could restore/refurbish the pen? I'm looking specifically a fix for the crack, as well as a good once over to make sure it works properly. A shine would be nice as well. I came across Main Street Pens and it looks like they offer what I'm looking for. Has anyone had any dealings with them?

Ben

 

[wksimple]

I notice you are in San Diego. Not too far from you (in Lakeside) is Ron Meloche. He restores/repairs Sheaffers such as yours. He restored a 1949 Sheaffer Sentinel for me and I am very pleased with the result. Here is his contact info:
Ron Meloche
Gallery 9926
9926 Maine Ave.
Lakeside, CA 92040
619-316-6577
[email protected]

Your pen will most likely need new seals and ink sac, but then it will be like new! Enjoy your grandfather's pen.

 

[Prince]

Very nice. Great thing to keep in the family. Hope the resto goes well.

 

[benvh]

Thanks for the tip. I sent him an email. Saw some more recommendations for him on FPN as well.

Ben

 

[DGS]

BTW, your pen has two other nice characteristics. (1) it has that beautiful carmine red pearl celluloid, which is a desirable color in Sheaffer pens; and (2) it has the over-the-top military clip that Sheaffer used during WW II. Sheaffer devised this clip so that soldiers could put the pen and pencil in their shirt pockets without the tops sticking out above the pocket, which was contrary to regulations. Plus, the military shirts have flaps which won't close if the pen sticks up.

 

[benvh]

My grandfather was in the Navy in WW2 and was in charge of supplies / stock room on a destroyer. I'll see if my mom knows if that's when he got them. It would make sense.

Thanks for the info!

Ben

 

[DGS]

Here's a great article from Richard Binder on fountain pen military clips, including the Sheaffer Balance clip like the one on your pen: http://www.richardspens.com/?page=ref/milclips.htm

 

[benvh]

Cool. The clip info is really interesting. Thanks for sharing.
Ben

 

[Shangas]

Hi Ben.

You've got a very nice lever-fill Sheaffer Balance (I think) pen & pencil set with military clips (I won't go into what those are, since Mr. Binder has covered them in nauseating detail). Balances were made starting in 1929 (I have three Balances, one from 1930, two from 1935); and yours is a later model from the 1940s, when pen companies started offering 'Military clips' to soldiers and other servicemen in WWII.

Lever fill pens are very easy to fix and they've got very simple construction. Fixing the crack may be a bit of a problem, but everything else (polishing, cleaning, replacing the ink-sac, for example) should all be relatively easy, and any good pen-restorer will be able to do it without any problems.

Best of luck in getting it fixed, keep the pen in the family, and perhaps give us as writing-sample when the pen's back and filled.