What Does Engraved Number On Snorkel Mean?

[3rdlakerobert]

  On 9/28/2024 at 12:31 PM, gmark_wa said:

Black Snorkel Clipper #2037

 

There is a Black Snorkle Clipper on eBay with barrel no. 2037.  The post is at: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/315792725338

 

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And a Special Edition too!  

[inkstainedruth]

Interesting.  What makes it a Special Edition?  When it was released?  (The pen in question has apparently sold).

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[3rdlakerobert]

  On 10/8/2024 at 7:45 PM, inkstainedruth said:

Interesting.  What makes it a Special Edition?  When it was released?  (The pen in question has apparently sold).

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

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It's not a special edition, except in the imagination of the seller. My comment was sarcastic.

[gmark_wa]

Three new numbers.

Since my last post I have seen three new numbered Snorkels on eBay:

• Burgundy Snorkel Saratoga #1792 with F3 nib (no photo). https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/326291122296
• Black Snorkel Admiral #1268 with M2 nib (no photo). https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/256671162651
• Burgundy Snorkel Admiral #1413 with F2 nib.  (photo below). https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/305908776015

 

 

[gmark_wa]

Black Snorkel Admiral #0729

 

Black Snorkel Admiral barrel no. 0729 with matching pencil, in a cardboard dual pen box with instructions, is on eBay at: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/146267022236

 

[gmark_wa]

2025 New Year Summary

 

So far, we have identified 113 Snorkels with barrel numbers.  There are 106 different numbers.  In five cases, there are two pens with the same number, and in one case, there are three pens with the same number.  Here is a list of the pen numbers we have found so far, including the multiples: 

 

 

 

And here are the updated colourful pie charts showing the breakdown of Snorkel model and colour for the numbered pens.

 

 

 

[inkstainedruth]

Very interesting!  Thanks for the breakdown by model and by color....

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[cherylmarie]

I found a black Statesman with number 0628 in a recent lot I bought.

[gmark_wa]

  On 1/25/2025 at 10:31 PM, cherylmarie said:

I found a black Statesman with number 0628 in a recent lot I bought.

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Thanks for the new number.  Are you able to post a picture of the pen including the number and barrel inscription?

 

Regards, 

 

Mark.

[inkstainedruth]

Has anyone *ever* determined for certain what the numbers are for?  

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

 

[cherylmarie]

  On 1/27/2025 at 1:24 AM, gmark_wa said:

 

Thanks for the new number.  Are you able to post a picture of the pen including the number and barrel inscription?

 

Regards, 

 

Mark.

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This was on a Statesman although we can't be sure it started as a Statesman.  I bought a lot described as an estate collection, and other pens obviously had parts combined from different models.

[gmark_wa]

  On 1/27/2025 at 1:06 PM, cherylmarie said:

 

This was on a Statesman although we can't be sure it started as a Statesman.  I bought a lot described as an estate collection, and other pens obviously had parts combined from different models.

 

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Thanks.  Great photo.

[gmark_wa]

Black Snorkel (Triumph nib, no cap - model unknown) #1040

 

There is a black barrelled Snorkel with a Triumph nib and no cap on eBay.  It has a barrel number 1040.  I'll add it to the database as 'model unknown'.  The post is at: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/126936340870

 

[gmark_wa]

Black Snorkel Crest #0574

 

There is a black Snorkel Crest with barrel #0574 on eBay.  The post is at: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/267161347150.

The barrel number isn't clear in the photos but I have confirmed it with the seller.

 

[gmark_wa]

Aqua Snorkel Statesman #0020

 

There is an aqua Snorkel Statesman with barrel #0020 on eBay.  The post is at: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/256853830865

 

[InkyProf]

  On 2/13/2025 at 11:25 AM, gmark_wa said:

There is a black barrelled Snorkel with a Triumph nib and no cap on eBay.  It has a barrel number 1040.  I'll add it to the database as 'model unknown'.  The post is at: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/126936340870

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Well, that's very interesting, since I recently purchased a restored black Snorkel with barrel number 1040 (and came to this thread to figure out what the numbers mean).  My pen has a Sentinel cap (and was sold as a Sentinel). 

[gmark_wa]

  On 4/15/2025 at 1:56 PM, InkyProf said:

Well, that's very interesting, since I recently purchased a restored black Snorkel with barrel number 1040 (and came to this thread to figure out what the numbers mean).  My pen has a Sentinel cap (and was sold as a Sentinel). 

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I saw the Sentinel post on eBay.  It could be the same pen.  The nib inscription is the same as the 1040 pen above.  The best way to tell if it is the same is to compare the number imprint location.  The numbers were added separately and their position relative to the W.A. Sheaffer Pen Co. imprint varies widely, even among pens with the same number.  If the number on your pen is in the same location as the 1040 pen above, then is is most likely the same pen.

[InkyProf]

  On 4/16/2025 at 5:32 AM, gmark_wa said:

I saw the Sentinel post on eBay.  It could be the same pen.  The nib inscription is the same as the 1040 pen above.  The best way to tell if it is the same is to compare the number imprint location.  The numbers were added separately and their position relative to the W.A. Sheaffer Pen Co. imprint varies widely, even among pens with the same number.  If the number on your pen is in the same location as the 1040 pen above, then is is most likely the same pen.

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Yes, it looks like the identical placement!

 

I didn’t read every post in this long thread; did anyone ever figure out for sure what the purpose of the numbers was? (My initial assumption upon seeing the “1040” was that the pen was supposed to be used for filling out US tax forms. 😉

 

And I gather there are at least some confirmed examples of two different pens bearing the same number?

 

Thanks for this thread, really glad to be able to find others with such an interest in these tiny details!

 

 

[gmark_wa]

  On 4/16/2025 at 9:23 AM, InkyProf said:

Yes, it looks like the identical placement!

 

I didn’t read every post in this long thread; did anyone ever figure out for sure what the purpose of the numbers was? (My initial assumption upon seeing the “1040” was that the pen was supposed to be used for filling out US tax forms. 😉

 

And I gather there are at least some confirmed examples of two different pens bearing the same number?

 

Thanks for this thread, really glad to be able to find others with such an interest in these tiny details!

 

 

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So far, we don't have a confirmed explanation for the numbers.  Roger W has access to Sheaffer's records and has suggested that the numbers were used to track minor modifications to the nibs etc. (He explains his theory in the middle of Page 9 of this thread). We still don't have enough data to prove this.

 

We have identified 119 numbered Snorkels so far.  Amongst this number there are five examples of numbers that appear on two pens, and one example where the number is on three pens.

[InkyProf]

Thanks again, @gmark_wa!