Sheaffer Lady Balance
1936-42
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
Classic 1936-42 Sheaffer Balance, a Lady Balance if made after 1938. It is a Lifetime model that is short and slender, 4 3/4” long and 27/64” across, with the correct “radius” clip. In “grey pearl” celluloid, this is a very nice looking user pen, has silver trim, is unmarked, very nice clean body and cap. It comes with its original full-size Lifetime nib, which writes a super-smooth fine/medium line. There is a flaw that has made it so inexpensive: a chip is missing from the barrel threads, where the section meets the barrel (visible in the third image). The chip is stable, there are no cracks leading from it, and the cap grips and holds firmly. That said, this pen can certainly withstand daily use. (writing sample forthcoming)
Price: $36 Sold