Product Description
Type Hard to find limited edition fountain pen
Product Name Sheaffer's name for this product line was Balance II. It was a revival of the Balance pens of the 1930s. This pen is #1388 in a limited edition of only 6000.
Manufacturer and Year Sheaffer USA - produced in 1997
Length 5-9/16"
Filling System Lever filler. Tested and working well. We did not replace the sac, but we will guarantee the filling system for a year from the date of purchase.
Color Green/grey/red marbled with gold plated trim
Nib FINE Sheaffer Lifetime nib.
Condition Excellent condition. There is some very light scratching the barrel, but we can't find any cracks or stress lines (see below for note). Both the cap band and the clip have some microscratching and polishing marks, but no brassing or plating wear. There are some small scuffs between the cap lip and cap band, but we don't see any indication that this has harmed the pen. The trim ring on the section, nearest the nib, looks great, with no pitting, corrosion, or plating wear. The imprints are clear.
NOTE: One thing you should understand before considering a purchase of this pen -- the plastic is incredibly fragile and the pen is virtually impossible to find without some cracks or stress lines. The cap should not be posted, and the clip should not be pulled out further than is necessary to slide a piece of paper under it! Most sellers do not inspect the pen closely enough to see the issues, but we know this model well and know where the weaknesses can be found. Sheaffer sacced them with silicone sacs which should last years and years, but we cannot guarantee that you won't crack the barrel if you need to pull the section in order to re-sac 20 years down the line. Are you now sufficiently scared? Though these pens write beautifully, it's hard not to recommend that the pen be put in your collection and not used.