1935-42 Sheaffer Balance Junior Fountain Pen

Vintage: c.1935-42

Make: Sheaffer

Model: Balance Junior

Color: Jet

Materials: Celluloid, rhodium-plated trim

Filling System: Lever filler (resacced and guaranteed to fill and write as designed)

Length: This short model measures 4 3/4” capped and 5 5/8” posted.

Nib: I wouldn’t call the 14k Sheaffer Jr. nib a full-fledged stub but it does have a slightly stubby character, laying down a smooth and consistent XF/F line with slightly thinner cross-strokes.

Condition: Balance Juniors typically saw a lot of hard use. This example is the exception. Nickel-plated trim is all but pristine: factory bright with no brassing or other notable flaws aside from one small spot of wear on the left side of the lever. Celluloid surface has a smooth lustrous finish with no deep scratches or other noteworthy blemishes – scarcely even any microscratches. Clear yellow ink view window. Manufacturer imprint on barrel is factory deep and fully legible. 

Details: Sheaffer introduced the Balance Junior c.1935 as a more affordable alternative to the Balance. It was offered as either a lever filler or vacuum filler. Though built to the same quality standards as more expensive Balances, the Junior featured a smaller nib (roughly the same size as a 3/Craftsman/Miss Universe) and exclusively nickel- in place of gold-plated trim.