What is a real Craftsman - 1930s?

March 8, 2005

Could someone point me at information on identifying the smaller balance models from the 30's/early 40's? There seem to be several sizes with varying barrel imprints. I'm particularly interested in how to identify the Craftsman model(s).

In the "What is a real Craftsman" topic a reference was made to pre-1940s pens with that model name but not how to identify them. I have looked at the PenHero site as well as other standard internet sources but didn't see this topic covered. There were a couple of pictures labeled Cratsman in Jim's sold pens section but I couldn't pick out anything unique from them.

Thanks,

AlexS

March 8, 2005

Based on the previous discussion, I think I can summarize it as all Craftsman models have #33 nibs and a lip ring rather than a cap band but that not all such pens are Craftsmen. For example the Diana II of 1941. :bonk:

http://members.shaw.ca/feynn/ · March 8, 2005

The earlier post is here and contains a great deal of information.

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=1254

March 8, 2005

Thanks for the quick responses John and Keith!!

Maybe I have been operating under a false assumption. I took Jim's comment in the thread you referenced Keith

"The Craftsman Tip-Dip follows a Touchdown Craftsman model, which follows the Craftsman model of the Triumph era (striped pens of the 1940s), which follows the Craftsman Balance pens (late 1930s-1941). All are different from each other, all are Craftsman models."

and Richard's website comment on page 4 of the Vintage American Pens section of his collection description

"One of the new designs, introduced around 1945, featured a “wire” cap band placed right at the cap’s lip, to prevent the plastic from splitting when the cap was posted. The pens below are of this design, which is commonly but erroneously called the “Craftsman.” (The name “Craftsman” was actually applied over the years to many different economy-priced pens rather than to this specific design.)"

as indicating that there were pre "wire-rimmed" Craftsman designs. If I remember rightly from my searching Jim has a couple of photos in his sold pens section labeled Craftsman that show pens looking like the thin balances with narrow bands not at the cap lip.

So, was I mistaken and the "wire-rimmed" sort the first Craftsman model, maybe dating back to before 1940? Or is there more to the story?

Sorry, trying to keep the first post short was probably a mistake.

AlexS

March 9, 2005

Here's the scoop on the Balance Craftsman models:

The Craftsman model Balance pen first appears in the 1938 catalog (Dated 7-38) as the "Craftsman Streamlined Balance." It's a $3.50 pen offered with lever or vacuum-fil systems. It's the "men's size" pen with the Miss Universe model being identical, only shorter. The matching Fineline pencil sold for $3.00. The pen and pencil set was $5.00.

http://www.penhero.com/PenSale/Pics/0197SheafferBalance.jpg

Sheaffer Craftsman Golden Brown Vacuum Fil c1938-1941 (incorrect Feather Touch nib)

Vacuum-fil models have visulated barrels, while lever fill models have visulated sections.

The 1938 Craftsman was offered in Black, Ebonized Pearl, Golden Brown, Rose Glow, Gray Pearl, and Marine Green. It was not a White Dot pen, and was the only pen in the line with "SHEAFFER'S" stamped on the clip. The Craftsman pen has a single thin cap band, while the pencil has no cap band. The trim is gold filled. The nib is a 14 karat gold Sheaffer #3.

http://www.penhero.com/PenSale/Pics/0190SheafferBalanceVacBlack01.jpg

Sheaffer Craftsman Black Vacuum-Fil c1938-1941 (Correct #3 Nib)

The only change in the 1939 catalog is a reduced number of finishes: Black, Golden Brown, Gray Pearl, and Marine Green.

In the 1940 catalog Carmine is added to the list of finishes: Black, Golden Brown, Gray Pearl, Marine Green, and Carmine. The Fineline pencil gets a matching cap band - absent from earlier versions.

The last catalog year is 1941, and there are no changes from 1940. Sheaffer introduced the Triumph line in 1942 with a whole new look across all lines.

Edited March 9, 2005 by PenHero