Sheaffer Imperial Triumph

[dicks390]

Hello-I recently acquired a Sheaffer Imperial Triumph fountain pen.  From my research, mainly on Penhero.com, I found that these models were gold filled, but the level of GF was not specified.  However, this pen only has the Sheaffer made in the USA hallmark.  The pen came with a ballpoint marker 23K FLH (last photo), which I understand is from the South American market, meaning 23K Gold Filled.  Can anyone tell me the amount of gold fill for the fountain pen, such as 12k, 14K, 23K?  I have seen some listings for this pen indicating it was 23K.

[joss]

I think that 23K gold fill does not exist and I do not know what FLH means. But Sheaffer used 23K electroplating on there Targa and modern Crest line of pens so my guess is that this pen is also 23K electroplated. 

 

The difference between gold-filled, gold plating and gold electroplating is explained to some extent in the girls guide to glitz (!).

[dicks390]

19 hours ago, joss said:

I think that 23K gold fill does not exist and I do not know what FLH means. But Sheaffer used 23K electroplating on there Targa and modern Crest line of pens so my guess is that this pen is also 23K electroplated. 

 

The difference between gold-filled, gold plating and gold electroplating is explained to some extent in the girls guide to glitz (!).

You may be correct, but I think the electroplating was done on the later year pens.  This pen is from the 60's, 70's.  This is from Sheaffertarga.com:https://www.sheaffertarga.com/Imperial and Triumph/Imp Triumph Ref List.html

Model AS17T- Sheaffer Imperial Triumph Fountain Pen Gold Filled Lined Pattern - Filling System~Touchdown .

Gold filled cap and barrel in a lined pattern,with gold filled trim .Fitted with a 14K Solid Gold Inlaid nib   My pen matches exactly that pen.   Also, from penherocom.: Imperial Triumph - In a departure from the PFM line, Sheaffer offered an all gold filled Imperial. This pen departed from the Roman numbering and reverts to the earlier Sheaffer practice of named pens. Like the Snorkel pen line, Sheaffer named the all gold filled model the Triumph. In every subsequent revival of the Imperial there is an all gold filled model. Identification guide and features: Gold filled cap and barrel with five line and blank pattern-My pen has eight lines, but the 5-line version is just another variant of this pen.

[joss]

On 4/24/2021 at 6:10 PM, dicks390 said:

You may be correct, but I think the electroplating was done on the later year pens.  This pen is from the 60's, 70's.  This is from Sheaffertarga.com:https://www.sheaffertarga.com/Imperial and Triumph/Imp Triumph Ref List.html

Model AS17T- Sheaffer Imperial Triumph Fountain Pen Gold Filled Lined Pattern - Filling System~Touchdown .

Gold filled cap and barrel in a lined pattern,with gold filled trim .Fitted with a 14K Solid Gold Inlaid nib   My pen matches exactly that pen.   Also, from penherocom.: Imperial Triumph - In a departure from the PFM line, Sheaffer offered an all gold filled Imperial. This pen departed from the Roman numbering and reverts to the earlier Sheaffer practice of named pens. Like the Snorkel pen line, Sheaffer named the all gold filled model the Triumph. In every subsequent revival of the Imperial there is an all gold filled model. Identification guide and features: Gold filled cap and barrel with five line and blank pattern-My pen has eight lines, but the 5-line version is just another variant of this pen.

 

I agree that the "gold electroplating" imprints are generally found on later Sheaffer pens (1980s) while your Touchdown pen is <1973. But you found the imprint on the ballpoint, did I understand that correctly? Also, this thread shows a well used gold Imperial Touchdown with a "23k FLH" cap imprint indicating that this imprint was used already in the Touchdown period.

This FPN thread suggests that FLH is short for FOLHEADA and FOLHEADA A OURO means "gold-plated", according to the DeepL translator. 23K gold-plating makes more sense than 23K gold-fill. 

It is remarkable that the "Made in USA" cap imprint is accompanied by a Portuguese gold content imprint. Could the pen have been made in USA and the plating done in Brazil?

 

[dicks390]

Thank you for your research on this.  It is a confusing question.  The FPN thread said:

Mistery FINALLY SOLVED!!! The pen has arrived... In both pens, an interesting mark: 23K FLH... (first clue...)

 

FLH is the abreviated form of FOLHEADA... FOLHEADA A OURO (portuguese), means GOLD FILLED...

 

The thread you listed said Gold Plated, as well as the translator you used.   The same ballpoint pen was listed on Peyton Street pens (a Reputable seller) as 23 K Gold filled (https://www.peytonstreetpens.com/sheaffer-imperial-ballpoint-23k-gold-filled-flh-made-in-brazil-6-lines-excellent.html), but an international site said the marking meant gold plated.  I contacted Jim Mamoulides at penhero.com and he said it would be safe to say the fountain pen was gold filled.  Jim also did not know what level of gold fill it was.  He said:  "Hi!  Documentation on these pens is spotty, but actual examples show different markings probably based on export or in country legal requirements, such as your example.  I’ve seen Touchdown Imperial pens with no indication of gold fill, simply gold filled, and 12K gold filled, for example.  I’ve only seen 23K on recent 1990s electroplated pens, which are cartridge/converter.  There will be two versions of the Sheaffer logo on these pens as well;"  Re the FP, I also found this:  Sheaffertarga.com showed this pen as gold filled, the AS17T model.  They also showed this model with the 12K GF hallmark.   An international site for the FP indicated the translation was :Sheaffer 23k Flh Gold Plated Antique Fountain Pen!

 

The ballpoint with the 23K FLH marking did not say made in the USA. It had an interesting sheaffer logo as shown in the photo.  These two items also came with a pencil that matches the fountain pen.

 

In summary, I think the FP is gold filled, but content unknown, probably 12 or less. This FP also came after or around the sheaffer imperial VIII, which had gold filled caps, and it was considered an upgrade, so it would seem to make sense it is all GF.  Re the 23K FLH pen, I do not really know, although I do not think it's 23K Gold Filled.  I do not think I have ever seen a pen that was 23K GF in any brand.

 

Interesting discussion.

 

 

[joss]

Yes it is confusing.

 

It adds to the confusion that people do not always differentiate, without wrong intention, between "gold-fill" and "gold-plate". The looks of the well-used 23K FLH pen in that Spanish thread may be an indication that the gold layer is plated because you seldom see gold-filled pens wearing/brassing in such a manner. But that is just a guess from me. 

Maybe these gold Imperial pens can be found in gold-fill as well as gold-plate finish? I also tend to believe that the USA made 1960s gold Imperials are gold-fill and not gold plated because too many of these pens survive with a near perfect gold finish.

 

The stylized "S" on the ballpoint is the Sheaffer logo that was introduced in circa 1964 and that was used until at least 1977, as deduced from period advertisements.

[dicks390]

Yes, I agree with you that the US made 1960's Imperials were probably gold filled.  And of course, we probably have plated and filled versions out there.  The plating on my USA made fountain pen and pencil is still very strong, so I do believe they are gold filled of some level.  Re the 23K FLH ballpoint, I am just not sure.  It is a shame manufactures were not required to hallmark this information on their pens.  Thank you very much for your insights into this question.