A museum?
The idea is simple...to write an article with a fountain pen lover and to upload our own pictures.
Here is the first trial.A HUGE HUGE thank you to Andrea Caligaris (Diplomat on FPN) for its help and knowledges for this article.
How does it work?
After a description (we are open to any changes) you will find pictures, on each picture you can click two times, the first click will lead you to the page of the pen and you can comment it if you want , with the second click you will get a closer view of the pen.
We need your help ! it simple and fast.
How?: If you have a Sheaffer flat top, just email its picture and a comment, we will upload it or them (contact@penandco.com)
In the early 20th century, the hard rubber was one of the main materials used for the manufacture of fountain pens barrels and caps.
The use of the hard rubber prevented the release of the heat (originated from the hand) to the pen barrel which is the main reason behind the leaking.
Sheaffer started producing fountain pens in 1912: they were nothing fancy, mainly black flat top pens in hard rubber in different sizes.
WA Sheaffer came as a latecomer in a growing market. But in a few years he was able to put its product on the map thanks to a number of innovations and commercial success:
- The lever filler, patented in 1908 and evolved to a more efficient double bar in 1912 (produced from 1913);
- The lifetime warranty on nibs: by increasing the amount of gold and of the tipping (iridium) used on the nib the “Lifetime” nib was guaranteed for the life of the first owner. Lifetime pens were launched in 1920 at a price of 8.75$ when the regular pens sold for less than half than that;
- The plastic pen: in 1924 Sheaffer marketed (not first, but definitely first in being successful) the so called Radite, a name for the nitrate cellulose (Celluloid). A material that provided more durability and finally the ability to have new fancy colors (the first to be used by Sheaffer were Jet Black, Jade Green, Black&Pearl, Coral red) ;
- The “white dot”: a market symbol for the Lifetime models appearing on the top of the cap from 1924;
The Sheaffer Flat Top name is now used to group all the models produced by Sheaffer’s from the beginning since the 1929, when a new shape model, the Balance, was put on the market. However the FT models remained on the market well into the 30s.
Here is the review of a FT specimen from Andrea Caligaris,from FPN.
Sheaffer’s early pens had a number of selling points, we should agree: they were an icon of their times, they introduced innovation after innovation every five years or so from their first year, they were produced in various trim and colors, and finally they were made to last.
A simple filling system, quality materials, high quantity of gold used on nibs: everything concurs. It’s difficult to find a specimen of Sheaffer’s that is not possible to restore and transform in an everyday user.
After reading so much about the FT on FPN (especially the beautiful review made by QM2), finally few months ago I took the decision to hunt for one of these beauties.
Now: I live in Italy. Notwithstanding many among our members on FPN will say that this is a good fortune (and this is arguable, at least from the point of view of the writer), there is an undisputed drawback: the supply of Sheaffer’s fountain pens from the 20s and 30s is kind of limited.
This pretty much explain the “few months ago” story. Waiting for the good occasion to rise on FPN (thanks mr. Brandt!) waiting for the delivery to cross the ocean… and finally this Monday the pen hit the door.
Now, the first thing I was curious was: how old is it?
One thing I learnt here about the early Sheaffer’s models is: there are no strict rules to define or categorize the pens. Since the production was industrial but still largely based on manual finish and assembly, and since they were made with interchangeable parts (nibs, sections, caps, barrels, clip) it’s difficult to exactly date them or to compare a specimen with another. Let’s take the previously mentioned QM2’s pen. Compared to this model we note:
• My FT has a straight clip, which should date it earlier;
• It has the ring retained lever, QM2 has the pin retained lever; Then by this parameter my FT should be of later production.
• Mt FT has a barrel imprint which match the ring retained lever. It’s the later “Patented in USA”. (though I don’t know about QM2’s);
• It has the lifetime nib without serial number, which is present in QM2’s;
A “Frankenpen” then? Possibly yes. They are not uncommon at all.
But if you had the patience to read until this point, you will have understood that this exercise is pointless: uncertainty is the queen here.
Nevertheless, you can’t make a mistake with a Black FT: they will stand out in between a thousands other FP nevermind which detail they may have. It’s a timeless design, beautiful for simplicity and understatement.
I've been using the FT for a whole week at my workplace. It was treated like all my other pens: in the pen pouch of the bag, then extracted and carried along in my breast suit pocket. Used several time a day to take quick notes and entries on my agenda.
I had a problem just one day: I opened the cap and some ink leaked from the nib to the section. Possibly it was upside for the whole night. Anyway I wiped away the excess of ink and started using it.
It's a marvelous workhorse. Take the rudeness very well. Always wet, always ready to write. The point is firm and soft, it's a quick writer. I used to write some cards to our members too.
And now, to the votes.
Appearance/finish 4/5
Design/Size/Weight 5/5
The OS is the same size and girth of a Pelikan M800. The weight is considerably smaller though. That is no surprise because the mechanics is really simple. That was one of the strength of the pen at the time of its introduction and still is. It’s amazing to think that this pen is around 80 years old. The celluloid is an outstanding material, scratch resistant, brilliant and luminous as the first day of use.
The brass in this pen is limited on small tads over the ball. The cap band, clip and the lever are good.
Nib Design and Performance 4/5
Ok, you have to give up the flexy of the vintage nibs, that is. But on the other hand you have a durable and smooth nib that stand the passing of time. In addition to that the nib is huge, classic and beautifully engraved. A beauty to look at.
The Filling System 4/5
While I prefer the piston filler mechanism for its reliability and complexity, I see the advantage of a lever filler. It’s one of the reason why these pens are still usable and affordable nowadays. It’s a simple mechanism that is easy to fix and maintain (I did my sac replacements on some other Sheaffer’s).
The major drawback comes when time come to clean the pen. To get a clean water out of it, you have to risk your fingernails!
Cost 5/5
It’s black and it is lever filler: you can have it for less than you think! The color is the most common (but still the most usable in any environment at our days), the simplicity of the filling mechanism says that it’s cheap to restore. It’s a great value in the vintage world of fountain pens.
Conclusions 22/25
It’s a great pen, no question about it. Sturdy, classic and always ready to write. If you are looking for a vintage pre WWII pen to be used as a daily writer, this may be the one you are looking for. Don’t be fooled by the three point missing, I am always demanding in life wink.gif They are there to remember that the finish is really simple, the nib can be disappointing because too stiff, and the pen is hard to flush. Really minor things if you think about it.
__SO, now if you have a Sheaffer Flat Top, please send us its picture and your comment, we will publish in the museum:
here is the mail address:
contact@penandco.com__
Thank you to Jon Rosen
The name of the edition is engraved on the rhodium-plated 18 K gold nib,accompanied by designs modelled on motifs
taken from the Louvre’s outer façade. 
