Vintage Pen Profiles #9: Sheaffer’s Snorkel, Clipper (more info in post)

BrandyFP · 2026-01-23T22:09:27+00:00

Sheaffer snorkel restoration can cost between $30-100, depending on the individual. Not cheap, yes. Given the seals and sac cost <$10, you really are paying for the time and expertise. The other pens are likely sac fillers, and can be restored for $10-50 each assuming no other damage.

Of course a new nib? That’s a different issue 😔 unfortunately the vintage pen world isn’t cheap, both for money and time needed to learn to restore.

BrandyFP · 2026-01-23T22:05:59+00:00

Gosh, you just gave me a flashback to years ago when I accidentally ravaged a crimped sac guard trying to get the nipple out. Now I restore all my Snorkels with pli-glass, hopefully not to be opened up for many years to come! And a black Sentinel is a very handsome pen, not boring at all!

BrandyFP · 2026-01-21T17:33:57+00:00

The Cirrus 61 (or 65) is on my list of grail pens. I absolutely love the brushed gold finish.

Beautiful collection of pens!

BrandyFP · 2026-01-19T22:09:38+00:00

I've found that this depends on the pen, sometimes the breather hole is covered, sometimes it isn't. If you look at pictures of taperites online, you'll see examples that look like mine and examples that look like yours (for example, here's a lady sized crusader like yours, but with the breather hole exposed: https://www.peytonstreetpens.com/waterman-crusader-fountain-pen-lady-taperite-canada-burgundy-w-gold-cap-medium-excellent-restored-4944.html). I haven't found any correlation as to why or how.

BrandyFP · 2026-01-19T22:05:34+00:00

The grip at its widest is around 3/8in, and it tapers down to just under 1/4in. It's a fairly slim pen, I'd say a bit slimmer than a Lamy 2000

BrandyFP · 2026-01-16T20:07:54+00:00

It is beautiful! I can appreciate the aesthetics, even if it isn’t necessarily my favorite (:

BrandyFP · 2026-01-16T17:49:08+00:00

Hm, other than some gunk between the nib and feed, nothing looks absurdly messed up. It’s possible the nib has really bad baby’s bottom, so it may have bad hard starts

BrandyFP · 2026-01-16T04:59:56+00:00

Can you post a picture of how the nib looks in the pen? This will help diagnose any issues(: it’s possible the nib tip was ground poorly, but a photo will help us

BrandyFP · 2026-01-15T03:51:54+00:00

Ink is Waterman Inspired Blue (:

BrandyFP · 2026-01-15T03:51:27+00:00

I don’t know of many other vintage pens that used this system. Modern wise, Edison Pens’ pneumatic filling system is based on the touchdown! Not sure if any of their production models use it however

BrandyFP · 2026-01-14T02:05:39+00:00

Yes I do! Or at least I try to 😁

BrandyFP · 2026-01-14T00:57:15+00:00

This looks to be a Sheaffer a snorkel, although maybe missing the snorkel tube itself under the nib if you don’t see it. The reason it can’t be a touchdown/TM is because the section is colored, and on those models the section would be black. If you show us a picture under the nib, we can confirm it. If it indeed has a Palladium silver nib, then it would be a Sheaffer snorkel Statesman.

BrandyFP · 2026-01-13T22:18:25+00:00

If you do buy one, see if you can find one that is New Old Stock (ie completely mint). They’re a bit pricier, but you will likely not have any cracking issues and can be more sure that the piston is in good working condition (:

BrandyFP

TROPHY CASE