Sheaffer 330, 440, 550, 2330? No idea!

[Nightjar]

Can anyone indicate what model this is? Obviously cheap pen, I'm guessing 1990s, but I really can't work out if it's 330, 440, 550, 2330 or something else. It's very similar to 440 (same nib markings, same feed, same "short diamond" inlay): but 440s appear to always have brushed metal caps. Nib marked "Sheaffer / USA (R)" i.e. R in a circle = Registered. Squeeze converter has number 30069. Otherwise no markings anywhere. The white spot has fallen out. All fittings chrome in case that's not clear from photo.

 

I bought it for less than £10 and the M nib was truly horrible, one of the worst in my modest collection, over-rounded over-smooth, like writing with a glass rod. So I reground it to F cursive italic, and now it's a fabulous writer: often the first pen I reach for. Funny things, fountain pens!

 

[joss]

hi, your pen is a 330 from the mid 1970s. The 330 and 550 both have a plastic cap and barrel but the 330 has a steel nib and chrome trim while the 550 has a solid gold nib and gold plated trim. The 440/440G has a chrome cap indeed and has either a steel nib (440) or solid gold nib (440G). The 330, 440 and 550 all have the short diamond/triangular cut-out version of the inlaid nib.

[Nightjar]

Oh, thank you @joss, that's very clear and helpful. I hope it's not a crime against history to have reground this nib to my personal taste! Thank you, really appreciated 🙏

[terim]

On 3/9/2025 at 12:58 PM, Nightjar said:

Oh, thank you @joss, that's very clear and helpful. I hope it's not a crime against history to have reground this nib to my personal taste! Thank you, really appreciated 🙏

We've got some nice new old stock nibs for these in a variety of sizes, but they are going to cost way more than you paid for the pen!

[Nightjar]

@terim Haha, I'm happy with my lucky bargain, but I also understand that you have a business to keep afloat!

 

I'd already noticed that you sell these nibs with cursive italic grinds... undoubtedly more professional than mine (it turned out nice more by luck than skill I think).

 

Happy people, I imagine, the customers that buy your reground nibs!