Sheaffer Triumph
1942
About This Model
On an official basis, production of the venerable Sheaffer Balance ended in 1942, after thirteen years of production and after two years of diminished production of the wartime Balances, and with the arrival of the Triumph-nibbed models. However, the transition from its most successful model ever to the future took time. At the end of the war, Sheaffer was already at work on its next generation, which turned out to be the Touchdown in 1949. From 1942-48, Sheaffer produced a wide range of Triumphs, from full-sized executive pens to the very short Tuckaways, all with Triumph nibs and most with Vac-fill plunger filling systems. Today, these are some of the most desirable of Sheaffer's many pens, because the Triumph nibs were often outstanding writers.
About This Pen
This pen is a black Triumph, most likely from the war years. It is not a typical post-war Triumph, because it is lever-filled and has a 1000 price code. Thus, my best guess is that it is from the earliest Triumph wartime years, still possibly a Balance, a transitional model. Another means of identification is its cap ring, which, combined with the price code (but not that nib!) would make it a Statesman if it were a Balance. Sheaffer arcana never ends; call it a transitional model.
Sheaffer arcana aside, it’s a very nice pen, in Jet Black celluloid with some scratches and nibbles remaining after a very deep polish. In addition, there is a very deep scratch at the top of the cap that is visible. Both of these flaws have been accommodated in the pen’s pricing. It carries a Triumph Lifetime nib (and matching White Dot). It writes a fast, firm, and wet fine line, a great writer. The gold trim is clean; the lever is very strong. The imprint is clean and complete. Good, affordable pen with a Triumph nib!
This pen is not for sale.