I'll start off by admiting that
I don't know the model name of this pen. "Balance" is the name of
the line of pens, rather like "Snorkel" or "Touchdown", and while it
doesn't refer to a filler, it does refer to a technological
development. Up to the introduction of the Balance, pens of all
makers were essentially simple tubes (e.g; Waterman's 12 and 52½,
the Parker Duofold, this Remex, and Sheaffer's own 3-25).
In 1929, Sheaffer was the first to introduce a pen tapered at
both ends, which followed the contemporary interest in streamlining and
made certain claims to enhanced ergonomics... not that they used that
word, mind you. Update:
I've gotten ahold of a 1938 catalogue (thanks to the efforts of this chap), and it
turns out that this trim and size is a Craftsman-- like "Valiant", a
name Sheaffer was happy to use over and again.
This specific pen is a vacuum-filler, which puts is no earlier than
1934. The shape of the clip, with the flat-faced ball, similarly
limits the pen to after that year, although it was apparently possible
to find low-end Sheaffers with this shape of clip into the 1940s.
With a price code of 350, this was not a top-end pen, so it could
be as recent as a 1945 model, although the '38 catalogue shows it at
that price.
There are two matters that cause me to hesitate in commenting on the
writing qualities of this pen. The lesser issue is that it's an
indifferently maintained vac-filler, which means it's a non-functioning
vac-filler. This can be overcome, to a certain extent, by
dipping. The greater issue cannot be so easily overstepped--
someone, apparently with careful deliberation, lopped off the nibs.
I've reshaped the point to allow its use as an italic point, but
this can hardly be considered a reflection of the feel of an intact
version. It is a very light pen, and it does sit in the hand nicely, so perhaps the
ergonomic claims are valid.
Specifications:
Gold point without hallmark, now a 0.6mm italic. Vacuum filler.
13.5cm long capped, 15.7cm posted (the cap doesn't stay posted so
well, by the way)
Condition:
Apart from the issue with the point, it's actually in pretty good
shape, at least on the outside. The body, which is striped clear
and black, is rather ambered, but still transparent-- I've got a
not-entirely successful picture of it here.
The fittings are unbrassed, the impressions are deep and legible,
and there is almost no pocket-wear on the plastic. The filler is
not working, but the shaft is in good shape.
Repairs:
The aforementioned point-shaping is all thus far. I really need
to get cracking on the ordering of parts for repairing vac-fillers, as
I've now got something of a pile of them that aren't working.
Location: My collection.
For sale?:
Not without a working filler, and not likely before a
period-appropriate replacement point is scared up.
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