Sheaffer Snorkel
From Penpedia
The Sheaffer Snorkel is hailed as one of the most complex filling mechanisms used in fountain pens. Sheaffer created the Snorkel by modifying the Sheaffer Touchdown TM line and released the new pen in 1952. Strong marketing backed the pen, which was featured as cleaner than competing nibs, because the nib did not have to be submerged and wiped off when filling. This habit was becoming cumbersome in lieu of emerging ball point pens, making the Snorkel very appealing versus competitors.
Despite their complex mechanism, the Snorkel pens can be some of the most reliable and consistent performing of vintage fountain pens. The pen line survived several years before being retired in 1959, however the snorkel filler lived on until 1963 in the Sheaffer Pen For Men Line.
Snorkels were made from Fortical, which was a synthetic cast resin. This allowed for brighter, more vibrant colors to be introduced (a popular trend in the 1960s). This material was both cheaper and more resilient to scratches than celluloid.
Contents |
Snorkel Tubes
Snorkel tubes can be found in a couple different types. Open nibbed pens will use a snorkel that appears like a straw, with an end cut off straight at a 90 degree angle to the tube. This is different than Triumph nibbed pens. These have a tube that is cut away at approximately a 45 degree angle, to allow it to retract into the Triumph's feed and mate up nicely when stowed.
Tubes were also found in two metals. Stainless steel is common, and appears silver in color. Other tubes that have a brassy, gold color are actually 14K gold, as confirmed by metallurgical analysis pursued by Pete Knudsen and Fred Krinke. These tubes will be naturally softer and more prone to damage.
Snorkel tubes have an additional hard rubber or plastic feed that runs the length of the tube inside. Use care when extracting the tube, and if removing the inner feed, as this is a delicate piece and will break easily.
Non-white Dot Models
This group of Snorkel models lacked Sheaffer's Lifetime White-Dot, signifying a limited lifetime warrantee on the pen. Normally this dot is located above the top of the clip on the pen's cap. Instead, these models featured gold-filled (GF) clips that were stamped with the name "SHEAFFER'S." They were normally viewed as a more budget minded pen, and featured the cheaper, easier to produce open nibs.
Special
The Special was essentially the cheapest entry-level model into the Snorkel line. They are characterized by PdAg, open nibs and 1/4" gold-filled (GF) cap bands. Original retail price was $7.95.
Admiral
The Admiral model took a step up from the Special. It has the same trim options, but has an improved 14K open nib, instead of the PdAg nib. Original retail price for a Sheaffer Admiral was $10.00.
Saratoga
Again, the Saratoga was one more step up the chain. No variation to the trim takes place, but the nib has been upgraded to a 2T 14K open nib. The tines are plated with platinum.
Sovereign
The Sovereign is the only model that varied to any degree from the other non-white not models. It is immediately distinguishable by its stainless steel cap. It does differ from similar Clipper and Sentinel model caps, which were also metal. Naturally, it is missing the white dot that those two carry. The clip retains the "SHEAFFER'S" imprint. There is no GF cap band on this cap. The pattern on the cap is also different from higher end models: a dashed and diamond line between two straight lines repeating. It also retains the 2T open nib used in the Saratoga.
White Dot Models
All Sheaffer pens with a white-dot came with a limited lifetime warrantee. Snorkel pens were no different. White-dot Snorkels were also upgraded to conical Triumph nibs, which were of higher quality than the open counterparts. Their clips were still GF, but were smooth, lacking the "SHEAFFER'S" name imprint. One thing that is proven repeatedly in the pen collecting world is there is always something new to learn. I seem to have this experience frequently, often in the form of friendly emails and calls from collectors telling me that something in an article on PenHero.com is incorrect, needs augmentation, or lacks some important new detail. This inevitably leads me on a hunt for corroborating proofs, new data, and sometimes even a new pen!
Let this instance be known as the "Case of the new TM". I certainly thought I had been thorough in my research on the Sheaffer Thin Model (TM) Touchdown pens, including gathering Sheaffer catalogs, repair manuals, advertisements, and company publications. I examined many example pens, inside and out, and wrote what I thought would cover that line. It turns out that I didn't have all the details, and despite all the work, it turns out there is a TM model that had completely escaped my scrutiny.
Statesman
The Statesman is the lifetime warranted equivalent of the Special. Like the Special, it uses a PdAg nib, which has been upgraded to a Triumph model instead of the cheaper open nibs. It also has a wider 3/8" GF cap band with parallel lines running around the top and bottom circumference of the band. These pens were just over twice the price of the Specials at $15.50. And as is customary with the white dot models, we see a smooth GF clip with no imprint.
Clipper
Clippers are visually very similar to Sentinels on the outside. They feature a polished stainless steel cap changed from the Sovereign with a repeated pattern of four straight lines in increasing length, as well as the addition of a 3/16" GF cap band. However they retain the PdAg Triumph nib of the Statesman.
Valiant
Valiants are the perfect mid-range snorkel. They introduced the 2T 14K Triumph nibs that used a platinum mask for the tines of the nib. We return to a plastic cap, but still have the 3/8" GF cap band introduced with the Statesman. Valiants were a good balance of price and features.
Sentinel
Sentinels were the better bred version of the Clipper. They are essentially identical, except for the nib which is traded up to a 14K 2T Triumph in the Sentinel. Pricing ranged between $20.00 and $22.50 originally. Side by side, one can not distinguish between a Sentinel and a Clipper, so it is important to view the nibs to tell the difference.
Crest
Crest is the top of the line standard white dot Snorkel pen. It has a metal cap, like the Sentinel and Clipper, but has been upgraded to GF cap rather than polished stainless steel. They retain a 14K 2T Triumph nib. Because the cap is GF, there is no cap band. It did have the same four line pattern used on the stainless steel caps. It was also the most expensive standard Snorkel, costing $25.00 (more than three times the cost of a Special).
14K Cap Band White Dot Models
These two pens were distinguished by their solid 14K cap bands. The pens could be sent to Sheaffer, where the owner's signature could be engraved on the band.
Signature
The Signature line can be compared closely to the Valiant. Both have all plastic bodies with 3/8" cap bands and feature a 2T 14K Triumph nib. The distinguishing feature is that the cap band is 14K, not just gold-filled (GF). It also drops the two parallel lines that run the circumference of the top and bottom of the band. These pens started at $35.00.
Autograph
Autograph pens are common among many Sheaffer pen lines, not just the Snorkel, and originated with early Balance models. They will never be found in any color besides black on Snorkels. It is still essentially the same, featurewise, as the Signature. But the Autograph has an unmissable 19/32" wide 14K cap band, as well as a 14K clip.
All-Metal White Dot Models
Essentially, all of the metal white dot Snorkels are either gold or gold-filled (GF). There is a possibility that others were made, perhaps in silver or stainless steel, but it should be assumed that these are exceptions, possibly one-offs, and weren't a marketed line.
Triumph
The Triumph retains the 2T 14K Triumph nib. This model had a GF body and cap. There was a repeating pattern of four lines engraved in the body and cap, except for a 3/8" "cap band" appearing area on the cap, which was left blank. While not actually a cap band, it does give the appearance of it.
Masterpiece
At $110.00, the Masterpiece line was by far and long the most expensive Snorkel on the market at the time. Same Triumph nib as above, with a 14K gold clip, cap, and body. The body was engraved with a repeating, straight line pattern. Models can also be found with caps and bodies of either 9K or 18K gold.
Other Models
Demonstrator
Demonstrators were special clear Snorkels, developed as marketing pieces for salesmen to use while demonstrating the advanced filling mechanism within the pen. The clear body allows a user to see the inner components in action. These pens were never produced for actual sale, as is common with pens today, like the Pelikan M205. This makes them highly sought after collectors pieces.
Demonstrators were only produced in clear plastic (unlike modern pens that might use a transparent blue, amber, etc) with 2T Triumph nibs. They feature a 3/8" gold-filled cap band, making the pen essentially a Valiant model, in clear plastic.
Nibs
|
| |
|
| Steel |
|
| 14K Open #5 |
|
| 14K 2T Open #5 |
|
| PdAg Triumph |
|
| 14K 2T Triumph |
|
| PdAg Open #5 |
|
| |
|
| Accountant Extra Fine |
|
| Gregg Shorthand |
|
| Fine |
|
| Medium |
|
| Broad |
|
| Stub |
|
| Oblique Right Stub |
|
| Oblique Left Stub |
|
| Optional F for Flex |
Nibs on the Snorkel came in two base styles, an open nib or a Triumph nib. Both styles then came in an assortment of types, in different metals. Two-tone (2T) nibs had a mask of thin platinum laid over the end of the nib. This plating is delicate, and can be worn off by aggressive polishing. Palladium silver (PdAg), 14K, or Steel nibs were not susceptible to this, as they were the metal they were made from, not plated. Nibs were coded as detailed in the charts to the right. An F5 nib would be a fine, 2T, Triumph nib. An FM4 would be a PdAg flexible medium (assuming there is such a beast).
Open Nibs
Open nibs were characteristic of the generally more budget-minded, non-white dot model Snorkels. They will be found on Special, Admiral, Saratoga, and Sovereign model pens.
Triumph (Closed) Nibs
Conical, Triumph style nibs can be found on the white dot model Snorkels. This includes the Statesman, Clipper, Valiant, Sentinel, Crest, Signature, Autograph, Triumph, Masterpiece, and Demonstrator models. Triumph nibs on Snorkels were made in the later tradition, being made from tube stock rather than being welded from sheet stock. These nibs can be found in two varieties: Two-tone (2T) 14K gold, or Palladium silver (PdAg). Specialty nibs were released in stubs, oblique stubs, and flexible nibs. Identification markings are normally found on the bottom side of the nib (not to mean under the nib, but rather 180 degrees from the top, on the outside edge below the feed).
Color Rarity
The following is a list of colors and finishes, in order of most common to most rare. Note that the availability of Fiesta Red varies by the model.
- Black, Pastel Blue, Pastel Green, Pastel Gray
- Burgundy
- Buckskin Tan
- Sage
- Vermilion/Fiesta Red (Sentinel Model)
- Gold Fill, Mandarin Orange
- Peacock Blue, Periwinkle Blue
- Fern Green
- Demonstrator
- 14K Metal body
- 9K Metal body
- Fiesta Red (Statesman/Valiant Models)
- 18K Metal body
