SH1878 Sheaffer Valiant Snorkel, boxed. (Extra Fine)

SH1878 Sheaffer Valiant Snorkel, boxed. (Extra Fine)

Date: 1950s

Size: Capped - 142mm; posted - 164mm.

A very attractive glossy burgundy Valiant Snorkel.  This pen is fitted with gold filled pocket clip and wide cap lip band and a beautiful large two-tone 14 carat gold Triumph nib.  The gold filling on the clip and cap band is in excellent condition with no brassing evident.  Above the clip is the Sheaffer white dot. The whole pen is in excellent condition with no damage evident.  Both cap and barrel exhibit a good original sheen with no cracks or splits and not even any noticeable surface scratches.  The large two-tone Triumph nib is made from 14 carat gold and is in an extra-fine point.  The snorkel filler is still shiny with no tarnishing.  All the insides are as they should be.  The original box is also in lovely condition.  It is a hard-shell case with a "fur" textured outer, a brass-bound base and cream coloured satin lid lining.  The pad is flocked and also cream-coloured.  I have never had a Snorkel pen as complete as this.  Not only has it got its original instruction sheet, but with it below the pad is a period Sheaffer repair receipt dated to 1964, which is probably the first ink sac change - it cost a whopping 9 shillings and sixpence.  There is also a sales receipt dated to 1991.  To top it all off, the little paper slipcase that the pen sat in when first sold is also still with it.  I love it when things are as complete as this!

I have fully serviced this pen.  The pen now fills very well - the plunger operates easily and the Snorkel tube winds in and out smoothly.  I have tested the pen and found that it writes very smoothly, laying down a wet and consistent extra-fine width line.

A very classy pen and an excellent writer, the complete package in its original box.