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.

Acknowledgement

Thanks to Andy Evans of Andy's Pens for supplying the information and photos of the metal cap Sheaffer Sovereign.

Read more about the story of the two Sovereigns in the November, 2005 PenInHand.

Comments on this article may be sent to the author, Jim Mamoulides
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