7 replies to this topic

[david i]

I'm proud of one original contribution to our hobby, my discovery (or at least first public revelation) Sheaffer's use of the name, "Lahn" for its 1930's sub-brand pens done in three plastic colors to feature gold-tone threads deep in the plastic. I must dig up that old essay one day and reformat it for FPB.

Here is a nice example in brown Lahn. Yes, it really is a Sheaffer.

regards

David

[Hugh]

That's one good looker David!! Is this basically just a WASP in different clothing and do they carry a 14ct nib?

Regards
Hugh

[ogwen]

This is another Sheaffer Sub-Brand, WASP Vacuum-Fil, in Lahn Green





Clearly, these Sub-Brand names had nothing to do with the filling systems used in said pens

I don't think I've ever seen a Lahn pen that wasn't lever fill.

[david i]

This is another Sheaffer Sub-Brand, WASP Vacuum-Fil, in Lahn Green


Clearly, these Sub-Brand names had nothing to do with the filling systems used in said pens

I don't think I've ever seen a Lahn pen that wasn't lever fill.

Well...

Lever fillers generate vacuum effect as much as plunger fill and so forth. All end up with lower pressure inside than out allowing ink to travel in.

It's just that the word Vacuum (thanks Parker) gained currency in the 1930's as jargon for non-lever non-button system, but the physics...

I believe Sheaffer made non-"Vacuum" Vacuum pens just to get in Parker's face.

BTW- here's a Lahn set I picked up on ebay quite reasonably. Fell below the radar. Only boxed set with ink I've ever seen.

regards

David

[david i]

Amongst Sheaffer sub-brand plastic patterns, the Lahn pens likely offer the most imprints. Offhand I've seen Univer, VACUUM, WASP VACUUM-FIL, and WASP CLIPPER, the latter two having black ends. The first two crop up with the lined clip (Vacuum might also have smooth clip... i must check) with the two WASP imprints correlating to smooth clip. There is a discussion lurking in there I suspect. Here are all three colors.

regards

David

[jonro]

Those are quite nice, David. Congratulations on those unusual acquisitions.

[ogwen]

Well...

Lever fillers generate vacuum effect as much as plunger fill and so forth. All end up with lower pressure inside than out allowing ink to travel in.

Very true, and I knew that reply was coming as soon as I pressed "post." I suppose technically all pens save the eyedroppers are vacuum fillers.

Great pics as always, David. LOVE the box set with the ink bottle!

--Jody

[Pedro]

Beautiful pens, David...and great pics as always. Are the nibs marked Lahn, Sheaffer, anything?