The Sheaffer Craftsman, made after WWII and mostly popular in the 1950s, came in a lever fill model and this one, the Touchdown--an elongated metal tube that seems to vacuum the ink up into the barrel.
Sturdier that a regular plunger system, but a bit strange looking. When filling with ink, I can actually pump the plunger rather than pull it in one motions.
The Craftsman was an everyday-use fountain pen, made of plastic and measuring 5 1/16" capped. The plastic barrel and cap do retain marks, particularly teeth marks as well as dents from regular use, but this one was in fairly good shape and was brought back to life by The Southern Scribe. This pen, which is black with gold-filled clip and cap band, came with a #33 14kt nib, a fine point that is a bit on the wet side.
Definitely a great vintage pen, if you're thinking of purchasing one you might want to think about one that's not working and having it repaired.
Nice pen, nice review, Diane. Southern Scribe's selection of vintage Sheaffers is beautiful. Some look like the pen Milburn Pennybags would carry in his waistcoat while knocking back a whiskey in the clubroom.
ReplyDeleteThe Craftsman name has me thinking of Sears, Roebuck's Craftsman tools, at one time a line of mostly American-made products. The power tools were made, I think, by Singer, and my Dad regarded them as nearly indestructible. Jack/Youngstown