Nicknamed "The Dolphin", this appears to be an effort to make a pen which appears to have an inlaid
point, which are a signature of Sheaffer's high-end pens to this very
day, without needing quite so much skill in the making. The designation "500" was an indication of cost, which was
something Sheaffer had been doing now and then since the 1930s.
There were three trim grades for this shape of pen, the 500 being
the least fancy with a steel point and cap. The 800 had
a gold point, gold-plated fittings and a matching plastic cap, and the
1000 a gold cap. At each level, you would pay a small premium to
get a cartridge-filler version, except the 1000 which was only available in that format-- it was the cool new technology of the time, so it cost more. In no case is that point actually
inlaid, either, but the mock-inlaid effect is pleasing all the same,
somewhat distracting from the weirdly prognathous profile of the thing.
A very full examination of this pen can be found at in the
Gallery at PenHero.
So, what's it like? It's funnier looking in person than in the
picture, and the point is extremely firm. This is a very modern
pen, lacking some of the liveliness of the older vintage pens,
but it writes very smoothly indeed. This was the first Touchdown
pen I had any contact with, and the squirt-hole in the feed-cover made
it a bit more of a toy than perhaps it should have been... at least for
a man my age.
Specifications: Medium nib, but on the fine side of medium. Touchdown filler. Spring-loaded clip. 13.3cm long capped, 14.1cm posted.
Condition: Plastic is very good; not mirror smooth as a mint pen
would be, but no scratches visible. Cap near mint. Strong,
deep imprint on body. Sac and seals fully functional.
Repairs: O-Ring seal replaced and greased. Sac examined
with an eye to replacement, but is currently in fine shape-- talcum
powder applied to lubricate its action.
Location: Totnes, Devon.
Sold on eBay for a rather
bargain rate of $34;
I have to assume that its looks went against it in that popular
forum-- it's a rather better pen than that.
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