Interesting 777 "Imperial" tidbit-

[OcalaFlGuy]

FIRST A REQUEST; Some time ago, someone here (Univer?) posted a small breakdown of the 3 digit "quasi-Imperials" and

what each 3 digit series had in/on them. I thought I'd saved it but alas, I didn't. I'd sure appreciate it if whoever posted it would do so again.

 

I was doing some checking on the 777 I just bought/won last night and bumped into a post (actually I remembered it before too) about the 3 digit "Imperials" where it was stated that Sheaffer didn't consider them to be the "true Imperials" per se. As I think the 3 digiters don't have that PFMish squared off barrel bottom that I myself equate with an Imperial, I saw no reason to doubt that statement. Then, I saw this last night on The Bay. This isn't the pen I got, but much better pics of the same (apparent) pen. (Pic from Fleabay)

 

777.bmp

 

At least to not that knowledgable me, yet more confusion to the "when is a Not an Imperial an Imperial" debate.

 

(For some reason, the bitmap image doesn't sail right across to the post, but shows as a link. (?) If you can't see it,

this pen is stickered and clearly says, "777 **Imperial** Fine".)

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

Edited June 19, 2009 by OcalaFlGuy

[Univer]

Hi,

 

I hope this is the thread you're looking for.

 

To save time, here's the suggested model number list posted there, with a couple of emendations. (Note that the name "Triumph" was also used, although not with perfect consistency, along with these number codes.)

• 330: Plastic body/cap, chrome trim, steel nib
• 440: Plastic body, brushed chrome cap, steel nib
• 440X: Plastic body, brushed chrome cap, steel nib, gold-plate clip
• 440XG: Plastic body, brushed chrome cap, gold plate clip, 14K nib
• 444: Brushed chrome body/cap, steel nib
• 444X: Brushed chrome body/cap, gold plate clip, steel nib
• 444XG: Brushed chrome body/cap, gold plate clip, 14K nib
• 550: Plastic body/cap. gold plate trim, 14K nib

Note, also, that the use of a three-digit designation does not automatically preclude a pen from being an Imperial - as the photo linked in the original post clearly shows. I hope someone with a catalog or two at hand will post to confirm this, but it's my understanding that three-digit codes were widespread, perhaps even universally used, among Sheaffer products of this era. (I've seen lots of Lady Sheaffers, for example - later models with clips - with "6XX" code labels.) If I've inadvertently contributed to the impression that only the "Triumph" models listed above (I'm pretty confident that list isn't exhaustive, by the way) went by three-digit codes, I apologize.

 

With respect to the question raised in a related thread, I believe the "777" code was associated with a Stylist model as well. Perhaps when the Stylist was retired, the code was reassigned (?).

 

Cheers,

 

Jon

[OcalaFlGuy]

I had done a couple searches here and couldn't find Jon's listing above, I did finally find it before I saw his above post.

It was my misremberance that his list addressed other than Triumph models. It sure WOULD be nice to see a more

complete 3 digit model number listing though.

 

(Thanks Jon)

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

Edited June 19, 2009 by OcalaFlGuy

[sexauerw]

Good luck with a complete model number listing. I've been attempting to do that with the Targas, most of which have four digit model numbers, but some have three digit numbers. There are models without numbers, there are numbers used for two or even three different models, it's just a mess. I'm not sure Sheaffer even had a master list.

 

Pens with three digit model numbers would include the Triumphs, Imperials, Fashion, TRZ (2 digits), Targa, Lady Sheaffer, Stylist, Nostalgia, Connaisseur and I don't know how many others.

 

Leaving aside the Targas, (see www.sheaffertarga.com or www.sexauerpens.com for those) here are some numbers:

 

20 TRZ, Brushed chrome cap with red, blue, green or black plastic barrel

30 TRZ, Bright chrome, straight line pattern with a panel for engraving

40 TRZ, Brushed chrome with bright chrome accents

50 TRZ, Matte black, chrome accents

60 TRZ, Matte black, 23K gold electroplated accents

70 TRZ, 23K gold electroplated, straight line pattern with a panel for engraving

106 S Range, Brushed chrome, stainless steel open nib

108 S Range, Matte black, stainless steel open nib

240 Fashion, Brushed chrome, chrome-plated clip and chrome-plated steel nib

240X Fashion, Brushed chrome, gold-plated clip and gold-plated steel nib

260 Fashion, Black, gold-plated clip and gold-plated steel nib

262 Fashion, Navy, gold-plated clip and gold-plated steel nib

263 Fashion, Burgundy, gold-plated clip and gold-plated steel nib

264 Fashion, Green, gold-plated clip and gold-plated steel nib

265 Fashion, Blue, gold-plated clip, ballpoint only

266 Fashion, Rose, gold-plated clip, ballpoint only

267 Fashion, Orchid, gold-plated clip, ballpoint only

270 Fashion, 23K gold electroplated fluted pattern, gold-plated clip and gold-plated steel nib

271 Fashion, 23K gold electroplated diamond cut pattern, gold-plated clip and gold-plated steel nib

280 Fashion, Cognac criss-cross lacquer, gold-plated clip and gold-plated steel nib

281 Fashion, Grey criss-cross lacquer, gold-plated clip and gold-plated steel nib

282 Fashion, Red criss-cross lacquer, gold-plated clip and gold-plated steel nib

283 Fashion, Green criss-cross lacquer, gold-plated clip and gold-plated steel nib

284 Fashion, Blue criss-cross lacquer, gold-plated clip and gold-plated steel nib

285 Fashion, Purple lacquer, gold-plated clip and gold-plated steel nib

286 Fashion, Black lacquer, gold-plated clip and gold-plated steel nib

330 Triumph*, Black plastic, short clip, stainless steel inlaid nib

440 Triumph*, Brushed chrome cap with black, blue or burgundy barrel, short clip, stainless steel inlaid nib

444 Triumph*, Brushed chrome, short clip, stainless steel inlaid nib

444XG Triumph*, Brushed chrome, short gold-plated clip, 14K gold inlaid nib

590 Crest, 23K gold electroplated cap and barrel, 18K gold Triumph nib

591 Crest, Black laque cap and barrel, 18K gold Triumph nib

592 Crest, 23K gold electroplated cap, red laque barrel, 18K gold Triumph nib

593 Crest, 23K gold electroplated cap, black laque barrel, 18K gold Triumph nib

594 Crest, Palladium electroplated cap and barrel, 18K gold Triumph nib

595 Crest, Sterling silver cap and barrel, 18K gold Triumph nib

596 Crest, 23K gold electroplated cap, Opalite Marine Green barrel, 18K gold Triumph nib

597 Crest, 23K gold electroplated cap, Opalite Golden Brown barrel, 18K gold Triumph nib

620 Lady Sheaffer, Brushed chrome, stainless steel recessed nib

620XG Lady Sheaffer, Brushed chrome, 14K gold recessed nib

632 Lady Sheaffer, Black and gold Paisley pattern, 14K gold recessed nib

643 Fashion, Burgundy, clipless (may have been ballpoint only)

644 Fashion, Dove Grey, clipless (may have been ballpoint only)

645 Fashion, Dusty Rose, clipless (may have been ballpoint only)

646 Fashion, Ivory, clipless (may have been ballpoint only)

647 Fashion, French Blue, clipless (may have been ballpoint only)

648 Fashion, Tea Rose, clipless (may have been ballpoint only)

653 Necklace Pen, Shell Pink, with chain (may have been ballpoint only)

654 Necklace Pen, Iris, with chain (may have been ballpoint only)

655 Necklace Pen, Aqua Mist, with chain (may have been ballpoint only)

656 Necklace Pen, Buttercup, with chain (may have been ballpoint only)

657 Necklace Pen, Peach, with chain (may have been ballpoint only)

6588 Necklace Pen, White Linen, with chain (may have been ballpoint only)

797 Triumph*, 23K gold electroplated, short clip, 14K gold inlaid nib

800 Nostalgia, Sterling silver

801 Nostalgia, Vermeil

810 Connaisseur, Lustre black, 18K gold open nib

813 Connaisseur, Lustre ivy green, 18K gold open nib

820 Connaisseur, Black laque, 18K gold and palladium two-tone open nib

822 Connaisseur, 23K gold electroplated cap and barrel, 18K gold and palladium two-tone open nib

823 Connaisseur, Sterling silver, 18K gold and palladium two-tone open nib

904 Lady Sheaffer, Black and gold Paisley pattern, 14 gold recessed nib

925 Lady Sheaffer, Seaspray pattern, 14 gold recessed nib

904 Lady Sheaffer, Gold plated barleycorn pattern, 14 gold recessed nib

2330 Triumph Imperial, Black cap and barrel, chrome highlights, stainless steel inlaid nib

2331 Triumph Imperial, Burgundy cap and barrel, chrome highlights, stainless steel inlaid nib

2332 Triumph Imperial, Blue cap and barrel, chrome highlights, stainless steel inlaid nib

2333 Triumph Imperial, Green cap and barrel, chrome highlights, stainless steel inlaid nib

2440 Triumph Imperial, Brushed chrome cap, black barrel, chrome highlights, stainless steel inlaid nib

2441 Triumph Imperial, Brushed chrome cap, burgundy barrel, chrome highlights, stainless steel inlaid nib

2442 Triumph Imperial, Brushed chrome cap, blue barrel, chrome highlights, stainless steel inlaid nib

2443 Triumph Imperial, Brushed chrome cap, green barrel, chrome highlights, stainless steel inlaid nib

2444 Triumph Imperial, Brushed chrome with chrome highlights, stainless steel inlaid nib

2555 Triumph Imperial, Imperial IV black, 23K gold electroplated steel inlaid nib

2556 Triumph Imperial, Imperial IV burgundy, 23K gold electroplated steel inlaid nib

2557 Triumph Imperial, Imperial IV blue, 23K gold electroplated steel inlaid nib

2558 Triumph Imperial, Imperial IV green, 23K gold electroplated steel inlaid nib

2570 Triumph Imperial, Imperial Deluxe black with 23K gold-electroplated cap, 23K gold electroplated steel inlaid nib

2570 Triumph Imperial, Imperial Gold, 23K gold-electroplated cap and barrel, 23K gold electroplated steel inlaid nib

 

 

*These Triumph pens were identified in some catalogs as Imperial Triumphs.

 

The preceding list is absolutely guaranteed to be incomplete.

[OcalaFlGuy]

Bill,

 

Can't help but noticed you left off the 777 Imperial in question.

 

FWIW, here is a Fleabay listing with some very clear pics of the pen and sticker (not my pen but one just like it)

that maybe you can use to update the list.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/IMPERIAL-777-Gold-SHEA...%3A1%7C294%3A50

 

Thanks for doing that list too!

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

[publius]

I wonder how common that 595 Crest is. I like the sound of "sterling with triumph nib"…

[sexauerw]

Bill,

 

Can't help but noticed you left off the 777 Imperial in question.

 

FWIW, here is a Fleabay listing with some very clear pics of the pen and sticker (not my pen but one just like it)

that maybe you can use to update the list.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/IMPERIAL-777-Gold-SHEA...%3A1%7C294%3A50

 

Thanks for doing that list too!

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

Bruce,

I built the list from three or four Sheaffer catalogs that I have. The 777 does not happen to appear in any of them. I did say that I guaranteed the list to be incomplete, didn't I? My catalog collection is really pretty skimpy. I have one from 1985 and a few from 1991-1995. That leaves a lot of years and models uncovered.

 

Here's a link to another eBay auction for a model 777, a completely different pen: Stylist with Triumph Nib Auction by Robert Novak. I'm pretty suspicious of using eBay auctions as an authoritative source of reference information. Although as I noted in the earlier post, Sheaffer has been known to use the same number for two different models. But I have only seen this previously for two models within the same line, such as two different Targas with the same model number. Here we have an Imperial and a Stylist with the same number.

Cheers,

Edited June 20, 2009 by sexauerw

[gee09]

Hi,

I,ve attached a few images from some Sheaffer Catalogues.I couldn't find any of the 777 Imperial or 777 Stylist? to show, only the 797 Imperial and 797 Triumph.The only reference I have about the 777 is in a Sheaffer Service manual.The 777 is listed from 1969 to 1973 but is given no name along side the number, so my guess would be the 777 was a top of the range Stylist?

Then in 1976 the 777 comes back in the service manual and is called the 777 Imperial, I guess at this time the Triumph range was a lower end Imperial or was the Imperial a higher end Triumph, maybe both are totally different models?

 

The pictures attached show in 1978 the 797 Imperial with the longer diamond nib and in the 1989/90 picture the 797 Triumph with the arrowhead inlaid nib, both versions have caps and barrels with the round end.

 

The general rule would be the Triumph model should have the arrowhead nib and the Imperial the longer diamond nib, having said that I received my Imperial Sovereign and 827 Gold Plated Barleycorn with the arrowhead nib.

 

Like always my answers seem to throw up more questions.

 

I've also bought a couple of pens recently that have the cap with the square end and the barrel with the round end.I don't think these are pens made up from different models.I,ll list the pictures later.

 

FYI,the Imperial 797 Picture and the product information card are from 1978,The Triumph 797 Picture is 1982 and the triumph collection page is 1989.

 

Cheers

Gary

Edited June 20, 2009 by gee09

[PenHero]

Great catalog pages! Please help us all by putting the dates on them.

 

This is the 777 Imperial, as shown in a 1973 Sheaffer catalog.

 

 

Cheers,

 

Jim Mamoulides

www.PenHero.com

[OcalaFlGuy]

Thanks Guys!

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

[OcalaFlGuy]

Hi,

 

I hope this is the thread you're looking for.

 

To save time, here's the suggested model number list posted there, with a couple of emendations. (Note that the name "Triumph" was also used, although not with perfect consistency, along with these number codes.)

• 330: Plastic body/cap, chrome trim, steel nib
• 440: Plastic body, brushed chrome cap, steel nib
• 440X: Plastic body, brushed chrome cap, steel nib, gold-plate clip
• 440XG: Plastic body, brushed chrome cap, gold plate clip, 14K nib
• 444: Brushed chrome body/cap, steel nib
• 444X: Brushed chrome body/cap, gold plate clip, steel nib
• 444XG: Brushed chrome body/cap, gold plate clip, 14K nib
• 550: Plastic body/cap. gold plate trim, 14K nib

Note, also, that the use of a three-digit designation does not automatically preclude a pen from being an Imperial - as the photo linked in the original post clearly shows. I hope someone with a catalog or two at hand will post to confirm this, but it's my understanding that three-digit codes were widespread, perhaps even universally used, among Sheaffer products of this era. (I've seen lots of Lady Sheaffers, for example - later models with clips - with "6XX" code labels.) If I've inadvertently contributed to the impression that only the "Triumph" models listed above (I'm pretty confident that list isn't exhaustive, by the way) went by three-digit codes, I apologize.

 

With respect to the question raised in a related thread, I believe the "777" code was associated with a Stylist model as well. Perhaps when the Stylist was retired, the code was reassigned (?).

 

Cheers,

 

Jon

 

Just an ever so small point of verification.

 

I received a still chalked black 550 today and it is exactly as Jon has it here.

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

 

[Zaurux]

And mine "post : My new golden Triumph" ?

 

Straight line pattern with a panel for engraving on body (left)... . But what is this serie ? (Touchdown with no gold mention on body, only on nib).

 

Cheers

 

Stef in Burgundy