Hard To Identify Sheaffer Fountain Pen

[rcstang]

Today I went to a yard sale and found a box of junk. There was a Sheaffer pen, a pocket knife and assorted junk. I bought the box for the pen because it looked old, not because I had any knowledge about it. I've spent the last hour and half trying to find out what it is and no luck. Maybe one of you can help me. This is what I know from my research and from looking at the pen. I'm not an expert so please excuse my lack of correct terms.

It's a flat top. (no ring at the top)
It's brown with a ornate gold band and 4 small holes in the cap.
The gold stylus? says Sheaffer's No 2
The main part of the pen is 4" long without the cap on it.
The base is difficult to read but I think it says
W. A Sheaffer Pen co
pat. aug. 25-03 then unreadable
dec 10-13 Jan 27 then unreadable

Can someone point me to a resource or pictures to identify this???

 

[Florida Blue]

Sadly I can't tell you the exact age or model of this Sheaffer, although it looks quite early. Perhaps circa 1915.

 

Even though it is now brown it was probably black when it was new. The pen is made from hard rubber, which fades to a shade of brown due to exposure of direct sunlight or water.

 

The gold point is called a "nib." The nib is probably an alloy of 14kt gold.

 

Hopefully some more knowledgeable Sheaffer users can help you out. Also, welcome to FPN!

[rcstang]

I appreciate the answer. Do you think the age is why I'm having trouble identifying it?

 

I took a couple more pictures to help one of the experts.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/36315429@N04/9864803854/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/36315429@N04/9864787424

 

thanks,

Ron

[Florida Blue]

I appreciate the answer. Do you think the age is why I'm having trouble identifying it?

 

You're welcome. Probably. Sheaffer started making pens in 1912, so yours looks like one of the very early models, but I'm sure someone around here can give you more concrete information.

Edited September 22, 2013 by Florida Blue

[Roger W.]

Ron;

 

This is a 21S (2 pen, with a wide rolled gold band, short) 1913-1917 with a replacement nib made in the 1920's. The hard rubber would have originally been black. The band, I believe, was referred to as a roman band having that design. It doesn't change the model - 21S with roman band.

 

Roger W.

Edited September 22, 2013 by Roger W.

[pen lady]

Be careful Ron. 30+ years ago I bought an interesting Eclipse mechanical pencil in a job-lot at an auction. 100+ pens and pencils later here I am, hanging out on FPN. You've been warned!!!!!

[rcstang]

Thank you Roger for the information about this pen. It just seems completely strange to find something that old at a yard sale. I was talking to the guy who was running the sale and he said the house was built in 1867 and was the second oldest house in the area. So that helps to make sense of it more.

 

Pen Lady, your warning is heard. In my research I did notice several amazing and ornate pens.

 

Ron