For your consideration, we are honored to offer for sale this exceptional Restored Circa 1935 Sheaffer Oversize Balance Fountain Pen in the highly coveted Marine Green Pearlized Celluloid, fitted with a smooth-writing 14K Lifetime nib. Widely regarded as one of the most desirable color variations in the entire Balance series, the Marine Green Oversize represents the pinnacle of Sheaffer's Art Deco-era craftsmanship and remains one of the cornerstone models in advanced vintage pen collections.
Introduced in 1929, during the golden age of American fountain pens, the Balance revolutionized pen design with its streamlined, torpedo-shaped profile—a dramatic departure from the flat-top designs that had dominated the previous decade. The Oversize model was Sheaffer's flagship writing instrument, offering larger proportions, luxurious materials, and the company's famed Lifetime nib. Today, Marine Green examples remain among the most sought-after of all Balance colors due to their striking appearance and relative scarcity.
This fountain pen has been completely disassembled, cleaned, restored, and returned to dependable writing condition. The nib, feed, and section were ultrasonically cleaned, a new properly sized latex sac installed, and all components carefully inspected during reassembly. The Gold Filled trim, including the iconic Flat Ball Hump Clip, cap band, lever arm, and Lifetime nib, has been hand polished to restore its original brilliance. The cap and barrel have likewise been carefully polished to revive the depth, and visual character of the remarkable pearlized celluloid.
Measuring an impressive 5 5/8 inches capped, 6 1/4 inches posted, and weighing .68 ounces, the Oversize Balance possesses the commanding presence collectors expect from Sheaffer's premier model while remaining exceptionally comfortable in hand.
The condition of the cap and barrel is particularly impressive. There are no chips, cracks, or repairs anywhere on the pen. The Marine Green celluloid displays outstanding color saturation with remarkable depth and chatoyance throughout the material. As light moves across the surface, the pearlized pattern seems almost alive, revealing the rich dimensional character that has made this finish legendary among collectors.
Dating this example to approximately 1935 is the Flat Ball Hump Clip configuration, an early and highly collectible Balance feature. The clip remains exceptionally attractive, showing only the slightest hint of wear at the extreme tip of the ball. The Gold Filled cap band displays only minor wear along the edges, while the lever remains free from any wear or brassing. The barrel imprint remains crisp and clearly legible, reading: "W.A. SHEAFFER PEN CO. FORT MADISON, IOWA, U.S.A. PAT. D-78,795"
The pen is fitted with a correct 14K Sheaffer Lifetime nib that measures approximately .50mm at the iridium tip (measured with digital calipers), placing it firmly within the Fine range. The writing sample produced by the pen demonstrates an Extra Fine line of approximately .43mm with natural expansion to roughly .70mm under moderate/firm pressure. More importantly, the nib delivers the kind of writing experience collectors spend years searching for—remarkably smooth, responsive, and effortless across the page. If you appreciate buttery-smooth vintage nibs, this Sheaffer will not disappoint.
The lever-filling system has been fully serviced and tested with water to ensure reliable operation. The writing sample shown was created using the actual pen offered here, dipped in Faber-Castell Cobalt Blue ink.
Marine Green Oversize Balances have long occupied a special place within the vintage pen hobby. Their combination of stunning pearlized celluloid, iconic streamlined design, oversized proportions, and exceptional Lifetime nibs places them among the most desirable production Sheaffers ever manufactured. Finding examples with strong color, crisp imprints, no structural issues, and excellent writing characteristics becomes increasingly difficult with each passing year.
Overall, this example presents beautifully and grades in the Very Fine+ to Excellent range. Were it not for the minor wear visible on the cap band and clip ball, it would comfortably approach Excellent+ territory. As it stands, it remains an outstanding collector-grade example of one of Sheaffer's most celebrated fountain pens.
An extraordinary opportunity to acquire a beautifully restored Marine Green Oversize Balance—one of the crown jewels of vintage American fountain pen collecting and a writing instrument worthy of the finest collections.
