다정한 무관심

재밌는 일이다. 독주로 재미없어지는 2014년 프로야구.. 그 중심엔 삼성과 넥센이 있다.

하지만 넥센으로써는 억울한 일이다. 박병호 강정호 서건창 김민성 모두 다 터진 역대급 시즌이지만 여전히 1위는 삼성이며 점점 더 멀어져 간다.

이유는 단연 투수력의 열세라고 말할 수 있을 것이다. 실점이 많아도 득점으로 만회하는 특징이 있는 넥센은 투수력만 받쳐주면 무적의 팀이 될 것이라고 생각하는 사람들이 많다. 하지만 넥센은 아직 부족한 면이 좀 있는 것 같다.

우선 선발 투수의 다양화.. 일단 선발 자원이 없는 상황에서 다양화는 더 먼 길이다. 하지만 삼성의 선발진을 보고 배워야 할 부분은 분명히 있다. 용병 선발은 솔직히 말해 넥센이 더 강하다. 그리고 배영수 장원삼 윤성환의 삼성 토종 투수는 리그를 씹어먹는 투수들이 없다. 오재영 문성현 강윤구 금민철 하영민도 한두 경기는 그들보다 나을 때도 있다. 삼성의 선발진은 자원 이상의 무언가가 있다. 그것은 다양한 스타일의 선발이다. 파이어 볼러, 제구력, 바깥쪽 슬라이더가 주무기인 선수에 안쪽 승부가 주무기인 선수가 있다. 그들의 적절한 배합은 상대팀으로 하여금 머리는 적응하지만 몸은 적응하지 못하게 만들고 있다. 생각해 보라. 파이어 볼러가 나온 다음날 느리고 제구력이 되는 투수가 나와서 머리를 휘저어 놓는다. 하루는 바깥쪽 슬라이더가 날카로와 컨택하려고 온갖 신경을 바깥쪽에 쓰고 나면 다음날 몸쪽 묵직한 직구들이 날아온다. 세 경기 중 한경기는 버리고 타이밍을 맞출 수 밖에 없다. 삼성이 스윕을 거의 당하지 않는 이유이다. 이에 비해 넥센은 특색이 그다지 없다는 생각이다. 질과 양에서 모두 부족한 모습이다.

계투는... 상황에 따라 낼 수 있는 양 자체가 차이가 난다. 한현희로 버티기엔 좀.. 특히 좌타 상대의 스페셜리스트가 없다. 삼성의 계투진이 많이 약해졌지만 모두 자신이 투입된 상황에서 원포인트를 확실히 잡을 수는 있다. 왼손 오른손 언더핸드 오버핸드 속구 변화구 모두 상황에 맞게 나올 수 있는 계투진이 있다. 뭐.. 이 부분은 결정적.. 마무리는.. 음.. 뭐.. 삼성도 한가지는 있어야 하니까..ㅋ 그래도 임창용이 없었으면 이러한 계투의 다양화를 가져올 수 없었을 것이다. 그리고 삼성의 계투진은 세대교체 중이다.

그리고 가장 큰 한가지는  내야 수비의 쉬프트.. 삼성은 류중일 감독의 지도 하에 완벽한 내야를 구축했다. 작전이 나올 수 있는 어떠한 상황이라도 투수와 타자, 그리고 내야진들의 상태를 고려한 완성도 높은 쉬프트들이 나온다. 그리고 성공하는 예가 꽤 많다. 하지만 넥센은 내야수만 보면 리그 대표선수들로 구성되어 있으나 쉬프트의 완성도는 삼성에 비해 세밀함이 떨어진다. 그리고 강정호의 수비범위가 미세하게 좁아지고 있는 것도 문제다. 하지만 삼성보다 큰 문제는 아닐 것이라 본다. 이유는 미안하지만 선발진의 땅볼유도율이 그리 좋지 못하다. 김상수와 강정호를 예로 들자면 한 경기에서 그 앞으로 날아오는 공의 갯수가 다르다. 또한 쉬프트가 나오는 숫자도 다르다. 실책 수만 보지 말고 실책율을 비교한다면.. 솔직히 단연 삼성 내야진의 강점이 나오지 않을까..

그리고 외야 수비는 넥센이 우세하다 생각하지만 그것도 조금은 모를 일이다. 이유는 이택근 역시 수비 범위가 좁아지고 있기 때문이다. 삼성은 박해민이라는 걸출한 중견수가 나와서 박한이와 최형우의 수비마저 덩달아 좋아진 느낌이다.

타선을 얘기하자면 외국인 타자 로티노의 존재감이 없어도 펀치력은 정상급.. 서건창-이택근-유한준-박병호-강정호-김민성-이성열-문우람-박동원에 윤석민, 허도환 등등 쟁쟁한 파워가 있고 타선의 연결은 정석적인 편.. 그리고 모두 자기 스윙을 하는 스타일이다. 그래서 솔직히 갑자기 생기는 기회나 기회를 만드는 작전은 조금 약한 듯. 타자들의 클러치 능력도 조금은 떨어지는 편이다. 반면 삼성은 김상수-나바로-박한이-채태인-최형우-박석민-이승엽의 9-6번 타자들이 1-4번 역할을 모두 해낼 수 있을 만큼 작전 수행 능력이 좋고 클러치 능력이 뛰어나다. 또한 김상수와 박해민의 도루나 내야 작전 수행 능력도 높은 편.. 이지영은 현재 잘치고 있으나 기복이 있다고 봐야할 듯.. 삼성은 펀치력 보다는 유기적인 연결이 강하다. 김상수, 나바로는 리드 오프가 될 수 있고 김상수-나바로-박한이는 2번 타자의 역할을 할 수 있으며 나바로-박한이-채태인은 3번, 채태인-최형우-박석민은 4번, 채태인-최형우-박석민-이승엽은 5번 역할을 충분히 할 수 있는 타자다. 즉 어디서 걸려도 1번부터 시작되는 상위타선 같은 분위기를 겪어야 한다. 9번, 2번, 6번이 장타도 갖추었다는 것이 삼성의 강점.. 또한 도루 상위권의 김상수, 박해민은 상대 내야를 충분히 흔들 수 있다. 삼성이 2사 이후에도 다득점을 낼 수 있는 것은 이러한 유연한 타선의 흐름이 있기 때문이다. 또한 선수가 빠져 있을 때에도 멀티가 가능하므로 티가 나지 않는다는 장점도 있다. 심지어 4번 타자가 한달을 빠져 있어도 티가 안 날 정도이다.

단기전은 모르겠으나 솔직히 장기전에서는 아직 삼성에 견줄 팀 자체가 없는 것 같다. 하지만 야구는 모른다. 아주 자그마한 틈을 파고들 수 있는 팀이 있다면 삼성을 무너뜨릴 수 있으려나.. 왠만한 힘대힘이나 시스템으로 삼성을 제압하기엔 어려워 보인다. 넥센이라고 할 지라도...     

드디어 시필.. 잉크는 파카 큉크 블루블랙...

일단 세필에 트라이엄프 닙의 사각거림까지..

맘에 든다. 아껴줘야겠다..

스노클을 구하려다 저 TM의 자태에 빠져 구했다.. 이제 잘 써야지..

Sheaffer Thin Model Touchdown Pens 1950-1952

by Jim Mamoulides, July 8, 2002

The Touchdown Pen is Slimmed Down

In late 1950 Sheaffer introduced the Thin Model or "TM" pen line, essentially a redesign of its year-old Touchdown pen line to a slimmer profile. It is possible that this was a first move before the introduction of the Snorkel pen line in late 1952, which is essentially the same pen modified to accept the Snorkel filling mechanism, itself an evolutionary modification to the Touchdown filling system. With the new, more slender pen, retooling would be easier and public acceptance of the new, more slender pen would be easier.

1952 Sheaffer TM Touchdown Advertisement Showing Touchdown Features

Sheaffer, always a leader in advertising, had heavily advertised the Touchdown pen line as both advanced and easy to use and fill. The pen was promoted as more comfortable and convenient to use than "yesteryear pens," clearly an attempt to show the line as both innovative from a design and a technical point of view. Being "pencil slim" was promoted as an ergonomic benefit. Advertisements carried tag lines such as "Far Into The Future..." and "Now - Outdates All Others..." as if to say all other pens are old fashioned. Of note is that advertisements almost always show the TM followed by an asterisk, which further down in the copy will say "* Thin Model". Perhaps Sheaffer did not want the pens to be simply known as "TM"s, but wanted the words "Thin Model" to stick in the mind.

Features were given heavy emphasis: the "one stroke Touchdown filler that provides substantial fluid capacity without demanding a thick barrel," the unique Triumph nib, the spring tensioned cap clip, and the visulated "Visible Refill Indicator" section.

1951 Sheaffer's TM Advertisement Featuring the Sentinel Model

Sheaffer continued the use of many of the established and recognized model names created in the late 1930s and 1940s, applying them to the new TM Touchdown line.

Sheaffer began the use of injection molded plastics in 1948, a process that required the production of single color pens, which dates models of 1948 and 1949 prior to the introduction of the TM line. Sheaffer continued this process with the new TM pens, making solid color, generally dark tone plastics, offered in black, green, burgundy, blue and brown. Sheaffer's name for these colors was Black, Burgundy, Evergreen Green, Persian Blue, and Burnt Umber Brown, though the full names did not always show up in advertisements.

Sheaffer Two Tone Triumph Nibs Clockwise from Right - Touchdown / Snorkel / TM Touchdown

Most Thin Model Touchdown pens are essentially trim variations of each other. All of the Triumph nib pens, for example, are the same pen with different cap and barrel combinations. This undoubtedly made production of the line simpler. All TM models have the spiral grip, which makes the pen easier to hold, and with less pressure. Sheaffer offered sixteen different Triumph nib point sizes, including flexibles, accountant, shorthand, stubs, obliques and music. Triumph nib pens will run stiffer than similar marked open conventional nibs.

Matching Ballpoints And Pencils

Sheaffer Sentinel TM Touchdown Burgundy Pen and Pencil Set with Thinner Snorkel Pencil

All TM Touchdown line pens had matching pencils and ballpoints with the same trim. The pencil was unchanged from the twist-action Fineline propel-repel-expel pencil that complimented the larger Touchdown line introduced in 1949. Sheaffer promoted the design of their pencils, including the "sleeve-type" tip, which was designed to avoid the sharp edges that cause leads to snap off during hard writing, and the spiral non-slip grip.

The Stratowriter ballpoint pen also carried over from the earlier Touchdown line. It was a large, screw cap pen that matched the look of the fountain pen. Stratowriters have the same innerspring clip and spiral non-slip grip features. Sheaffer advertisements claimed the Stratowriter's "Micro-Crafted" refills could hold 300% as much ink as average cartridges and would not skip, an important feature as the early ballpoints from the late 1940s were notorious skippers. In 1951, Sheaffer replaced the Stratowriter with a more slender and less expensive slip-cap ballpoint, which was carried into the Snorkel line.

The TM line was sold singly and in sets of up to three writing instruments. Low-end models were packaged in paperboard boxes. Higher line pens and ensemble sets were packaged in attractive tan leatherette clamshell boxes. The complete model list is as follows, in general order of original price:

Non-White Dot Models

Sheaffer Touchdown Craftsman Persian Blue 1950-1952

Craftsman - The Craftsman was the "low-priced leader" entry level Touchdown model, an update of the Craftsman lever-fill pen.

Identification guide and features:

• Conventional 14 karat gold nib, stamped "SHEAFFER'S" over "33" and hallmarked

• Nib is Sheaffer nib code 33 and marked as such

• Nib grades included extra fine, fine, medium, broad, and shorthand

• Visulated section

• Gold filled fixed clip stamped "SHEAFFER'S"

• 1/32 inch wide gold filled cap band

• Plastic cap and barrel in solid colors

• About 5 1/8 inches long capped and 6 inches posted

• Available colors were Black, Burgundy, Evergreen Green, Persian Blue, and Burnt Umber Brown

• Retail price for the pen was US $3.75, matching Stratowriter ballpoint US $3.25 (1950), and matching pencil US $3.00

Sheaffer Touchdown Admiral Black and Burgundy 1950-1952

Admiral - The Admiral is the trimmed up economy Touchdown, a Craftsman with more brightwork and a fancier nib.

Identification guide and features:

• Conventional 14 karat gold Feathertouch two-tone platinum masked nib, stamped "SHEAFFER'S" over "Feathertouch" over "5" and hallmarked

• Nib is Sheaffer nib code 5 and marked as such

• Nib grades included extra fine, fine, medium, broad, and shorthand

• Visulated section

• Gold filled fixed clip stamped "SHEAFFER'S"

• 1/8 inch wide gold filled cap band

• Plastic cap and barrel in solid colors

• About 5 1/8 inches long capped and 6 inches posted

• Available colors were Black, Burgundy, Evergreen Green, Persian Blue, and Burnt Umber Brown

• Retail price for the pen was US $5.00, matching Stratowriter ballpoint US $5.00 (1950), and matching pencil US $3.75

Sheaffer Sovereign TM Touchdown Persian Blue pen and pencil set c1950 early version

Sovereign TM (Early) - The Sovereign TM is essentially the same pen as the Statesman, but without the White Dot and fitted with a Feathertouch type nib. The two pens could easily be confused with a cap swap, and sometimes the pen may be found with the other model pencil.

Identification guide and features:

• Conventional 14 karat gold two-tone platinum masked nib, stamped "SHEAFFER'S" over "Feathertouch" and hallmarked - Nib is Sheaffer nib code 73

• Some models will have conventional 14 karat gold two-tone platinum masked nib, stamped "SHEAFFER'S" over patent information stamping and hallmarked - Nib is Sheaffer nib code 74

• Nib grades included extra fine, fine, medium, broad, and shorthand

• Visulated section

• Gold filled innerspring clip

• 1/4 inch wide gold filled cap band

• Plastic cap and barrel in solid colors

• About 5 1/4 inches long capped and 6 1/8 inches posted

• Available colors were Black, Burgundy, Evergreen Green, Persian Blue, and Burnt Umber Brown

• Retail price for the pen was US $8.75, matching slip-cap ballpoint US $6.00 (Late 1951), and matching pencil US $5.00

Sheaffer Sovereign TM Touchdown Pastel Blue c1951 late version

Sovereign TM (Late) - The metal cap Sovereign TM is similar to the Statesman, but with a stainless steel cap with a White Dot and fitted with a Feathertouch type nib. This version of the Sovereign was probably manufactured only in 1951, right before the Snorkel was released.

Identification guide and features:

• Conventional 14 karat gold two-tone platinum masked nib, stamped "SHEAFFER'S" over patent information stamping and hallmarked - Nib is Sheaffer nib code 74

• Nib grades probably included extra fine, fine, medium, broad, and shorthand

• Visulated section

• Gold filled innerspring clip

• Polished stainless steel cap with five engraved panels - a set of two straight lines with a dashed and diamond line between

• Barrel in solid colors

• About 5 1/4 inches long capped and 6 1/8 inches posted

• Available colors were probably Black, Burgundy, Pastel Green, Pastel Blue, and Pastel Grey

• Retail price for the pen was probably US $8.75, matching slip-cap ballpoint US $6.00 (Late 1951), and matching pencil US $5.00

White Dot Models

Sheaffer Statesman TM Touchdown Pen And Sovereign TM Pencil Persian Blue 1950-1952

Statesman TM- The Statesman is the entry level White Dot model and the only one with a conventional open nib. Unlike the very similar Sovereign, the Statesman's nib face imprint design reflects the new TM Triumph nib stamping, rather than the older Feathertouch style. Sheaffer gave this new design the "74" point type, but unlike earlier nibs, the point type number does not appear on the nib.

Identification guide and features:

• Conventional 14 karat gold two-tone platinum masked nib, stamped "SHEAFFER'S" over patent information stamping and hallmarked - Nib is Sheaffer nib code 74

• Nib grades included extra fine, fine, medium, broad, and shorthand

• Visulated section

• Gold filled innerspring clip

• 3/8 inch wide gold filled cap band with two engraved trim lines

• Plastic cap and barrel in solid colors

• About 5 1/4 inches long capped and 6 1/8 inches posted

• Available colors were Black, Burgundy, Evergreen Green, Persian Blue, and Burnt Umber Brown

• Retail price for the pen was US $10.00, matching Stratowriter ballpoint US $10.00 (1950), matching slip-cap ballpoint US $6.00 (Late 1951), and matching pencil US $5.00

Sheaffer Valiant TM Touchdown Burgundy 1950-1952 - With Touchdown Plunger Extended

Valiant TM - The Valiant is the entry level Triumph nib White Dot model and is otherwise identical to the Statesman. The nib is the reason for the 25% price premium.

Identification guide and features:

• Triumph 14 karat gold two-tone platinum masked sheath nib, stamped "SHEAFFER'S" and hallmarked - Nib is Sheaffer nib code 12

• Sixteen nib grades including extra fine, fine, medium, coarse (broad), stub, broad stub, left oblique stub, accountant, shorthand, flexible extra fine, flexible fine, flexible medium, flexible coarse (broad), flexible stub, flexible left oblique stub, and music

• Broad stub, left oblique stub, flexible left oblique stub, and music nibs were extra cost options

• Gold filled innerspring clip

• Visulated section

• 3/8 inch wide gold filled cap band with two engraved trim lines

• Plastic cap and barrel in solid colors

• About 5 1/4 inches long capped and 6 1/8 inches posted

• Available colors were Black, Burgundy, Evergreen Green, Persian Blue, and Burnt Umber Brown

• Retail price for the pen was US $12.50, matching Stratowriter ballpoint US $10.00 (1950), matching slip-cap ballpoint (Late 1951) US $6.00, and matching pencil US $5.00

Sheaffer Sentinel Deluxe TM Touchdown Burgundy Pen and Pencil Set 1950-1952

Sentinel Deluxe TM - The Sentinel Deluxe may also be seen in advertisements and box labels as the Sentinel De Luxe, a hold over from earlier models. Although the cap looks like chrome plating, it's actually polished stainless steel, a much more durable finish.

Identification guide and features:

• Triumph 14 karat gold two-tone platinum masked sheath nib, stamped "SHEAFFER'S" and hallmarked - Nib is Sheaffer nib code 12

• Sixteen nib grades including extra fine, fine, medium, coarse (broad), stub, broad stub, left oblique stub, accountant, shorthand, flexible extra fine, flexible fine, flexible medium, flexible coarse (broad), flexible stub, flexible left oblique stub, and music

• Broad stub, left oblique stub, flexible left oblique stub, and music nibs were extra cost options

• Visulated section

• Gold filled innerspring clip

• 3/16 inch wide gold filled cap band

• Polished stainless steel cap chased with a repeating pattern of four straight longitudinal engraved lines in a stepped grouping

• Plastic barrel in solid colors

• About 5 1/4 inches long capped and 6 1/8 inches posted

• Available colors were Black, Burgundy, Evergreen Green, Persian Blue, and Burnt Umber Brown

• Retail price for the pen was US $15.00, matching Stratowriter ballpoint US $10.00 (1950), matching slip-cap ballpoint (Late 1951) US $7.50, and matching pencil US $5.00

Sheaffer Crest Deluxe TM Touchdown In Burgundy and Black 1950-1952

Crest Deluxe TM - As with the Sentinel Deluxe, the Crest Deluxe is sometimes seen in advertisements and box labels as the Crest De Luxe, also a hold over from earlier model names. From the late 1930s until the end of the Snorkel line in 1959, Sheaffer associated the Crest model name with its gold filled metal cap pens.

Identification guide and features:

• Triumph 14 karat gold two-tone platinum masked sheath nib, stamped "SHEAFFER'S" and hallmarked - Nib is Sheaffer nib code 12

• Sixteen nib grades including extra fine, fine, medium, coarse (broad), stub, broad stub, left oblique stub, accountant, shorthand, flexible extra fine, flexible fine, flexible medium, flexible coarse (broad), flexible stub, flexible left oblique stub, and music

• Broad stub, left oblique stub, flexible left oblique stub, and music nibs were extra cost options

• Visulated section

• Gold filled innerspring clip

• 1/10 14 karat gold filled cap chased with a repeating pattern of four straight longitudinal engraved lines in a stepped grouping

• Plastic barrel in solid colors

• About 5 1/4 inches long capped and 6 1/8 inches posted

• Available colors were Black, Burgundy, Evergreen Green, Persian Blue, and Burnt Umber Brown

• Retail price for the pen was US $21.00, matching Stratowriter ballpoint (1950) US $12.50, matching slip-cap ballpoint (Late 1951) US $9.00, and matching pencil US $9.00

14 Karat Gold Cap Band White Dot Models

Both the Signature and Autograph models were advertised as available with the owner's personal signature engraved on the 14 karat gold cap band.

Sheaffer Signature TM Touchdown Black

Signature TM - The Signature TM is a 14 karat gold cap band model introduced with the TM line. The thinner cap band fits with the more slender lines of the TM pens, and gave Sheaffer a new price point below the Autograph model.

Identification guide and features:

• Triumph 14 karat gold two-tone platinum masked sheath nib, stamped "SHEAFFER'S" and hallmarked - Nib is Sheaffer nib code 12

• Sixteen nib grades including extra fine, fine, medium, coarse (broad), stub, broad stub, left oblique stub, accountant, shorthand, flexible extra fine, flexible fine, flexible medium, flexible coarse (broad), flexible stub, flexible left oblique stub, and music

• Broad stub, left oblique stub, flexible left oblique stub, and music nibs were extra cost options

• Visulated section

• Gold filled innerspring clip

• 3/8 inch wide 14 karat gold cap band hallmarked on top front

• Plastic cap and barrel in solid colors

• About 5 1/4 inches long capped and 6 1/8 inches posted

• Available colors were Black, Burgundy, Evergreen Green

• Retail price for the pen was US $19.75, matching Stratowriter ballpoint US $12.50 (1950), matching slip-cap ballpoint (Late 1951) US $10.00, and matching pencil US $10.00

Sheaffer Autograph TM Touchdown Black

Autograph TM - The "TM for your Autograph" was the latest in a long history of offering a pen with all solid 14 karat gold appointments and with the owner's personal signature copied onto the cap band. The TM Autograph continued that tradition with the widest cap band of any of the all-plastic pens in the line. As with the previous Touchdown and Triumph lines, the Autograph was only offered in black.

Identification guide and features:

• Triumph 14 karat gold two-tone platinum masked sheath nib, stamped "SHEAFFER'S" and hallmarked - Nib is Sheaffer nib code 12

• Sixteen nib grades including extra fine, fine, medium, coarse (broad), stub, broad stub, left oblique stub, accountant, shorthand, flexible extra fine, flexible fine, flexible medium, flexible coarse (broad), flexible stub, flexible left oblique stub, and music

• Broad stub, left oblique stub, flexible left oblique stub, and music nibs were extra cost options

• Visulated section

• Solid 14 karat gold innerspring clip, hallmarked at top

• 19/32 inch wide 14 karat gold cap band hallmarked on top front

• Pencil tip is solid 14 karat gold

• Plastic cap and barrel in solid color

• About 5 1/4 inches long capped and 6 1/8 inches posted

• Available only in Black

• Retail price for the pen was US $20.00, matching Stratowriter ballpoint US $17.50 (1950), matching slip-cap ballpoint (Late 1951) US $17.50, and matching twist-action pencil US $15.00

1950 Sheaffer's TM Advertisement Showing Triumph Model

All-Metal White Dot Models

Sheaffer TM Touchdown Triumph 1950-1951

Triumph TM - The Triumph model is actually an overlay, with a black plastic base barrel. This allows the cap to fit flush with the barrel when closed. Sometimes listed in advertisements simply as the "Gold-Filled" model.

Identification guide and features:

• Triumph 14 karat gold two-tone platinum masked sheath nib, stamped "SHEAFFER'S" and hallmarked - Nib is Sheaffer nib code 12

• Sixteen nib grades including extra fine, fine, medium, coarse (broad), stub, broad stub, left oblique stub, accountant, shorthand, flexible extra fine, flexible fine, flexible medium, flexible coarse (broad), flexible stub, flexible left oblique stub, and music

• Broad stub, left oblique stub, flexible left oblique stub, and music nibs were extra cost options

• Visulated section

• Gold filled innerspring clip

• 19/32 inch wide 14 karat gold cap band hallmarked on top front

• Pencil tip is solid 14 karat gold

• Gold filled cap and barrel with straight longitudinal engraved lines in a repeating pattern of four lines and a blank panel

• Cap has extra wide band for engraving, barrel has blank indicia for engraving

• About 5 1/4 inches long capped and 6 1/8 inches posted

• Retail price for the pen was US $25.00 and matching pencil US $12.50

Crest Masterpiece TM - The Crest Masterpiece is the upscale Crest, with solid 14 karat gold cap and clip. The cap has an extra wide band for engraving.

Identification guide and features:

• Triumph 14 karat gold two-tone platinum masked sheath nib, stamped "SHEAFFER'S" and hallmarked - Nib is Sheaffer nib code 12

• Sixteen nib grades including extra fine, fine, medium, coarse (broad), stub, broad stub, left oblique stub, accountant, shorthand, flexible extra fine, flexible fine, flexible medium, flexible coarse (broad), flexible stub, flexible left oblique stub, and music

• Broad stub, left oblique stub, flexible left oblique stub, and music nibs were extra cost options

• Visulated section

• Solid 14 karat gold innerspring clip, hallmarked at top

• Solid 14 karat gold cap with wide cap band and chased with a repeating pattern of four straight longitudinal engraved lines, hallmarked

• Plastic barrel in solid colors

• About 5 1/4 inches long capped and 6 1/8 inches posted

• Available colors were Black, Burgundy, Evergreen Green, Persian Blue, and Burnt Umber Brown

• Retail price for the pen was US $50.00, matching Stratowriter ballpoint US $50.00, and matching pencil US $25.00

Masterpiece TM - The Masterpiece TM is the top of the line model. Like the Triumph, the Masterpiece is a solid overlay on a black plastic base barrel. Every metal part is hallmarked 14 karat gold.

Identification guide and features:

• Triumph 14 karat gold two-tone platinum masked sheath nib, stamped "SHEAFFER'S" and hallmarked - Nib is Sheaffer nib code 12

• Sixteen nib grades including extra fine, fine, medium, coarse (broad), stub, broad stub, left oblique stub, accountant, shorthand, flexible extra fine, flexible fine, flexible medium, flexible coarse (broad), flexible stub, flexible left oblique stub, and music

• Broad stub, left oblique stub, flexible left oblique stub, and music nibs were extra cost options

• Visulated section

• Solid 14 karat gold innerspring clip, hallmarked at top

• 19/32 inch wide 14 karat gold cap band hallmarked on top front

• Pencil tip is solid 14 karat gold

• Solid 14 karat gold cap and barrel with straight longitudinal engraved lines in a repeating pattern of four lines and a blank panel, hallmarked

• Cap has extra wide band for engraving, barrel has blank indicia for engraving

• About 5 1/4 inches long capped and 6 1/8 inches posted

• Retail price for the pen was US $100.00, matching Stratowriter ballpoint US $100.00, and matching pencil US $50.00

Performance

I tried a fine nibbed Sentinel and a medium nibbed Crest for this review. Both of these TM Touchdown pens are the same size, shape and proportion, about 5 1/4 inches long capped and 6 1/8 inches posted, and they are considerably light, being made of plastic and lightweight metal.

Both of the TM Touchdown pens are well balanced, whether the cap is posted or not, but I find the pen a bit small unposted. The cap is not very heavy and does not add a lot of weight.

The plating on both of the caps is very well done, and definitely not of the electroplate ilk, as with modern Sheaffer pens. Both hold a very mirrored finish that is especially 1950s on the Sentinel, reminding one of all the heavily chromed cars. Today the Sentinel would be right at home in a motorcycle shop. The caps and the section both have metal threads, giving the cap a secure, positive fit. The clip is spring loaded, making it easy to slip on, even thick fabric.

Sheaffer TM Touchdown Triumph Nib - Note Visulated Section

The colors on the TM Touchdowns are noticeably a shade darker than on the Snorkels that followed. I took some Snorkels and found a red Sentinel for comparison. The Snorkel is a bit brighter red.

All Touchdown pens are easy to fill: unscrew the cap, pull out the plunger (out of the ink!), dip the nib and section, push in the plunger once, count to ten, remove, and wipe. Only the Snorkel is easier - no wiping. The Touchdown filler is an improvement on the Vacuum-Filler it replaced. Many times Touchdown pens will appear to work out of the box, but as o-rings, seals and sacs can age out and leak, letting ink into the pen body, always consider having these pens serviced before being placed into use.

Sheaffer TM Touchdown and Snorkel Burgundy Sentinels Side by Side

The Triumph nibs on both pens are stiff, but smooth and wet writers. I will admit that I happen to like Triumph nibs, so they feel good to me. They are stiff enough to write through carbons, which was important in the late 1940s and early 1950s.

Because the TM Touchdown line was made for only two years, they aren't as plentiful as Snorkels. Don't expect this to make them worth any more, however. Many sellers will misidentify them as Snorkels and sometimes they get mixed up in Snorkel boxes. Generally, they sell for about the same, model for model. The caps will also swap with the later Snorkel pens, but they are exactly the same, so this shouldn't produce too many Frankenpens.

Don't pass over these pens because they aren't Snorkels. They work well and are good everyday users in their own right. The visulated section is a bonus not found on the Snorkel, but they are small and tend to cloud or amber. These are well made everyday pens that could easily find a place in any rotation.