Photo Credit: calsstuff4u
1960s Sheaffer PFM fountain pen in Burgundy with 14K Gold Nib
Buy It Now Price: $180 (price as of 2017; item no longer available)
Pros:
-Here is a very desirable vintage Sheaffer PFM fountain pen from the 1960s. The plastic barrel and cap are in the classic burgundy color while the band and clip are 14K gold-filled.
-The Sheaffer PFM fountain pen was the oversize follow-up to the company’s highly successful “Snorkel” series of pens. The PFM was meant as a luxury pen and incorporated the same advanced “snorkel” ink refill apparatus as its predecessor.
-Five major versions of the Sheaffer PFM fountain pen were produced between 1959 and 1968. This particular specimen is a Sheaffer PFM series III.
-PFM stands for “Pen for Men”.
-The nib of this Sheaffer PFM fountain pen is solid 14 karat gold. Solid karat gold nibs were typically used in higher-end vintage fountain pens. This is because karat gold has better writing characteristics than cheaper nib materials like steel. The lower end PFM models used a cheaper (at the time) silver-palladium alloy nib.
-Although barely visible in the photo, this Sheaffer PFM fountain pen has the iconic White Dot near the top of the gold-filled clip. The White Dot originally indicated that the pen in question had a lifetime warranty from Sheaffer. By the time the Sheaffer PFM fountain pen was produced the White Dot had evolved into a corporate trademark representing a “mark of luxury” or “symbol of satisfaction”.
-Although the $180 buy-it-now price for this Sheaffer PFM fountain pen might seem somewhat high, it is actually rather reasonable. Vintage PFM fountain pens are extremely desirable in the collector’s market and examples in good condition, like this one, command very strong prices.
Cons:
-I would have loved it if this vintage fountain pen came with its original box. Unfortunately, that is not the case. However, this is a minor drawback.
-While the PFM series III is an excellent fountain pen, there are two much rarer PFM models. They are the Masterpiece, with a solid 9K gold barrel and cap, and the Autograph, with a black plastic barrel and cap with a 14K gold band. Both of these exceedingly rare PFM models are more desirable than the PFM III series, but are priced to match.
-The seller does not mention when this Sheaffer PFM fountain pen was last serviced. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that the buyer will, at a minimum, have to replace the rubber ink sac, which deteriorates with age.
