Sheaffer Balance
About This Model
Sheaffer Balances appeared in 1929 and were Sheaffer’s top production lines from the early 1930’s until after WWII. They were available in numerous lengths, girths, colors and patterns, filled by lever or plunger, and were well enough made that now, with a cleaning and filling system restoration, they make excellent and durable pens. There were two distinct levels, Lifetime and non-Lifetime, and numerous models at different times. The Lifetime designation was carried over from before the Balance's appearance, and was kept to designate higher level pens. They carried Lifetime nibs and a white dot to signify the pen as a Lifetime; in addition, they came with the Lifetime guarantee, which continued for many years until the courts struck it down. After WWII the White Dot was used to denote higher level pens, and then became Sheaffer's brand identifier. Non-Lifetime pens had lower trim levels but were made of the same components; their nibs were very good and were often much softer and easier to write with than Lifetimes. Balances were also designated with numerous sub-model names after the mid-1930s, and the use of Balance was ended altogether after WWII, with the obsolescence of lever-filled pens.
About This Pen
This is a late Balance, 1936-42, in its final style. A full-size lever-filled model in Jet Black, this is an Autograph model, with a 14K 5/16” wide cap ring and 14k clip. The cap band is engraved with a very elegantly written “L Hawley”, possibly a real signature reproduced by Sheaffer’s technicians in the cap band. The pen shows its years of use, but does not have any significant flaws or deep scratches. The imprint is deep and complete. The nib is a large Lifetime EF and is, like so many from Sheaffer, very firm. Full-sized Autographs in clean condition are rarely seen.
Price: $105 Sold