Sheaffer Balance
1930-31
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 an early Balance, from 1930-31, in Marine Green radite. At 5⅝” long and a touch over ½’ thick, it is the Model 8TC, oversize and Lifetime. This pen is being sold from my personal collection, and is in beautiful condition. Its barrel and cap are virtually unmarked, the imprint is complete and deep. The pen’s only flaw is that a bit of the clip’s and cap ring’s plate is missing. It has a large Lifetime nib, and writes a firm, but fast and wet, fine line. (My Thought with this update is about selling this pen…)
Price: $145 Sold