For more general notes, see the page for the Imperial line.
The 440 model was one of the few to survive a culling of the line in 1983, and is the lowest trim-level of the survivors. When the line was somewhat resuscitated in the early ’90s, this trim level got an extra digit at the front and also saw itself elevated from the lowest point (or perhaps the floor dropped a little). The cap is not stainless steel, but rather is a brushed chrome finish.
I should also note that there was another change in the model numbers, at the right side. While previously, the “ones” digit of the model number was in most cases a place holder, in this particular line, it represents the colour; black, burgundy, blue, green, brushed chrome and white run from 0 to 5. These numbers vary a little in other versions of the trim, so don’t try to apply them to Triumph Imperials without the brushed chrome cap.
Production Run: 1993 – c. 1998.
Cost When New: I don’t have any firm data on this at the moment. Not expensive, though; likely about what we would currently think of as $25.00 to $30.00. (update– an informant writes that he paid about $24.00 for one new. One datum may not be entirely sufficient, and he caveats this information with a warning about the fallibility of human memory, but it looks like my estimation isn’t far wrong. To get this amount in current terms, try this calculator).
Size: 13.1 cm long capped, 14.4 cm posted, 11.8 cm uncapped.
Point: Steel inlaid.
Body: Polystyrene.
Filler: Cartridge, capacity approx. 1.1 ml.
Sheaffer Triumph Imperial 2440 – the size of the point’s back end is what leads me to think that this is a rather late example and not a 440.
If you are relying on the preceding information to win a bet or impress a teacher, you should read the site’s scholarly caveat. Remember, this is the internet, and it’s full of bad information.