7 replies to this topic

[controls_freak]

I was so excited to find this. I love Snorks but prefer open nibs to the more common conical. Oh well, it's still very nice.

 

 

[Hugh]

Nice combination in the end and looks great condition as well, I really like the stainless steel caps for their "clean" look and durability. I'm suspecting a Saratoga rather than a Sovereign body on nib shape.

 

Regards

Hugh

[controls_freak]

I hope you'll expand on your suspicion. My understanding is the Sovereign and Saratoga differ only in the cap.

 

Anybody got a Sovereign cap in good condition they're willing to sell/trade?

Edited by controls_freak, 24 November 2014 - 01:22 AM.

[david i]

Hi,

Might be easier to find a Triumph point/collar than to find a Sovereign cap, though a plastic green NWD Saratoga cap might be easy. The pen now is mix of Sentinel/Clipper cap with Saratoga/Sovereign other parts.

 

regards

 

d

[Hugh]

I hope you'll expand on your suspicion. My understanding is the Sovereign and Saratoga differ only in the cap.

 

Anybody got a Sovereign cap in good condition they're willing to sell/trade?

 

My mistake, I was thinking of the earlier TM TD Sovereign nib which is different from the Snorkel Sovereign/ Saratoga nib that's a carry over from the TM TD Statesman....too complicated!!

 

Regards

Hugh

[controls_freak]

Hugh,

 

I'm so glad you segued to the TM TD Sovereign line. I have a burgundy TM TD Sovereign/Statesman (see below) with an obvious replacement cap. I never read the PenHero spec information closely enough to realize the nibs were also different between the early and late model TD TM Sovereigns. Not only is my cap a different color from the barrel, it should be steel it is the wrong cap. It should be either steel (late Sovereign) or plastic with a white dot (Statesman). You're right, it is complex.

 

But, were there 2 different burgundy colors produced in the TM line? Both my cap and barrel are in wonderful condition so I am hesitant to think either is faded. Was the Statesman burgundy different from the Sovereign?

 

 

I keep coming across these Frankenpens. Oh well, I buy them to use them and they sure write beautifully.

Edited by controls_freak, 24 November 2014 - 03:26 AM.

[Hugh]

Okay I'll address your pen first, the cap is a Snorkel one which is why there's a colour variation ( different burgundies between TM TD and Snorkel). Note the Sheaffer's on the clip, this is absent in the TM TD line and is a good point to help with the "is it a snorkel or not" as all non WD Snorkels have the clip marked as yours where as no TM TDs do. The nib looks more a Statesman one than a Sovereign, so if it matches your OP nib then it's the former.

 

On TM TD Sovereigns there are several versions, a plastic cap like yours above with no WD and no Sheaffer's on the clip, a metal cap with a WD and plain clip and I also have an example of a plastic cap, plain clip and with a WD ( since only one has shown up maybe a prototype ?). The nibs on all these are the same ( the Feather Touch Penhero mentions on the early Sovereign is uncommon to the point where I put it in the "oddity" basket ).

 

The TM TD Statesman has a wider cap band ( same cap as a Valiant) and WD with the same burgundy through the entire range and ( I think) same nib as in your OP.

 

Of course from a practical point as you mention it makes no difference at all !! Hope this helps....rather than confuses even more..

 

Regards

Hugh

[controls_freak]

Thanks Hugh. That does help immensely.