1953 SHEAFFER CLIPPER SNORKEL PASTEL GREEN FINE PgAg NIB FOUNTAIN PEN RESTORED

For your consideration, we are offering for sale this beautifully restored vintage circa 1953 Sheaffer Clipper Snorkel Fountain Pen, finished in the highly attractive Pastel Green barrel color and fitted with its correct two-tone cap and matching conical Palladium Silver Fine nib. A true product of Sheaffer’s golden era, the Clipper represents one of the classic Snorkel configurations. This example has been professionally restored and is now in excellent operating and writing condition.

The cap and barrel are in excellent cosmetic condition, showing no teeth marks, dings, dents, or repairs. There are no monograms or personalizations, adding to its desirability for collectors. The cap is crisply stamped “SHEAFFER Made in U.S.A.”, while the barrel bears the clear imprint “W.A. SHEAFFER PEN CO. FORT MADISON, IOWA U.S.A. MADE IN U.S.A.” NOTE: The number above the imprint "1127" was an internal dye lot number Sheaffer used for quality control when evaluating color during the production run. These numbers show up on Snorkel from time to time, and they are shoewhat common. The Pastel Green Snorkel color was produced from 1953 through 1959. The pen measures approximately 5 1/2 inches capped, 6 1/2 inches posted, and weighs .65 ounces, offering a comfortable, well-balanced feel in the hand.

This pen has been fully disassembled, ultrasonically cleaned, carefully inspected, and expertly reassembled. The nib, section, feed, and snorkel tube were ultrasonically cleaned, while the cap, barrel, and blind cap were hand-polished to restore their original luster without compromising the material. A new silicone sac, O-ring, and point seal—all correct reproduction components—have been installed to ensure proper Snorkel filling and long-term reliability.

The Palladium Silver (known as the PgAg) Fine nib has been hand-polished and provides a smooth writing fine line. The iridium tipping measures approximately .55 mm, with a writing line ranging from roughly 0.53 mm to 0.56 mm when checked with digital calipers. The writing sample shown was produced with this exact pen, using Faber-Castell Cobalt Blue ink. It is an exceptionally smooth and pleasant Fine nib to write with.

The Touchdown filling system has been completely restored with a new sac, point seal, and O-ring, lightly lubricated with pure silicone for smooth operation, and extensively tested. It produces excellent suction and functions flawlessly, performing perfectly in water-fill tests.

This Sheaffer Clipper Snorkel is ready to write immediately or equally at home in a discerning Snorkel writing arsenal. Overall, I would confidently grade this pen as Excellent condition, both mechanically and cosmetically—a fine, honest example of one of Sheaffer’s most iconic mid-century designs.