Product Description
Type fountain pen set
Product Name Balance Lifetime
Manufacturer and Year Sheaffer, made in USA -- 1929-31 (the long humped clip is the original clip that was phased out by 1931).
Length The fountain pen is very long at 5-7/8" and the pencil measures 5-3/16"
Filling System The fountain pen is a lever filler. It has been fully restored with a new sac and is working well. The pencil lead extends via a twist mechanism and takes "thick" or 1.1mm leads. An eraser can be stored beneath the cap but one is not installed.
Color Pearl and Black pen and pencil. They have a marbled or cracked ice black and pearl mix. The "pearl" parts started ivory colored but are yellow and orange from ambering. They each have gold plated trim, the long humped clip, and a white dot.
Nib FINE gold Sheaffer Lifetime nib is in nice condition with appropriate tipping material. It's smooth and firm.
Condition Excellent condition. Both have ambering and handwear.
FOUNTAIN PEN: The pen is in much better condition than the pencil. Black and pearl celluloid frequently develops fine cracks that follow the outline of the "pearl" parts. The pen has one such small crack to the right of the clip but it is very fine. The lever is slightly brassed and there is slight plating wear on the ball of the clip. No cap lip cracks or barrel threads cracks, it's one of the nicest oversize Balance pens we've had in this color in a long time.
PENCIL: The pencil has bite marks at the top and is missing a piece of material. The area to the left of the clip has three large and deep cracks. There are additional cracks on the barrel, but they are internal. There are marks and scratches on the barrel. The cap doesn't connect well to the barrel. It is slightly off center. There is also plating wear on the cap band, ball of the clip, and cone. The cone has bite marks.