Product Description
Type Vintage fountain pen in excellent working condition
Product Name Sheaffer Balance "Commandant" 400. Circa 1938, pens got model names and this one would be "Commandant." It would have cost $4.00, and it does have the 400 imprint. This was the only military cap model with "Sheaffer's" on the clip.
Manufacturer and Year Sheaffer USA -- 1941-42, these are the official years the military clip was used but it could be from a bit later.
Length 5-1/8"
Filling System Vacumatic filling system.
Color Green and amber striated with gold trim and the military style clip. Great amber transparency on the barrel.
Nib EXTRA FINE 14k #3 nib.
Condition Excellent condition with no cracks, chips, dents, or dings. This is a lovely, shiny, short pen in a classic design. The barrel has marks caused by the cap lip and some long thin scratch lines that run the length of the barrel The end of the barrel has a cluster small scratches (they aren't bite marks). An old personalization on the barrel has been almost completely removed and is very hard to see. The cap looks excellent. The cap ring has plating wear. The clip has plating wear along the bottom edge. The back of the clip has a few small pits. The viewing window is slightly discolored (darkened). The imprints are clear.
Very nice condition for this lovely, shiny pen in a classic design and with excellent amber barrel transparency. The cap and barrel have light to some moderate scratching and marks. The barrel has marks caused by the cap lip and bite marks at the end and a small chip on the pointed end. The cap has a hairline crack just under the cap band that goes to the lip, so we do not recommend posting this pen. The top of the cap has some short, deep scratch marks. The cap band has plating wear along the edges as well as some light pitting mid-band. The clip has microscratching and a bit of plating wear along the back lower edge. The imprints are clear.