Introduction
Many people think of the famous “Sheaffer” pen when it comes to fountain pens. However, several counterfeit Sheaffer pens on the market look just like the real thing but aren’t worth your money.
The best way to ensure that you are buying an original product from Scheaffer pens is by buying from authorized retailers only since these people know precisely what they are selling.They can provide you with all the necessary information regarding their products, including prices, warranties, etc.
Here’s how to spot a fake Sheaffer pen:
The price tag
Sheaffer pens have a unique tag that has a serial number on them. Typically, the serial number is situated on the bottom half of the pen below the clip or cap ring.
The tag is usually made out of plastic or metal and has raised writing on it so you can read it easily. The tag will also have an imprinted design that matches the design on your pen body.
If your pen has a black tag with white lettering, this is likely not an authentic tag. Authentic tags are colored to match the body color of your particular pen model, and they will have gold lettering, so they stand out against the background color.
If the price is too good to be true, it probably is. Although it is not always the case, certain sellers sell their products below market value just to get rid of them quickly.
Check the Packaging
Another way to spot a fake Sheaffer pen is by looking at the packaging. The package is probably a fake product if it does not have any original markings.
You should also check out the quality of the packaging material itself, which should be made from high-quality materials such as cardboard or plastic rather than paper.
Check the nib
This is the gold-colored part that touches the paper. The most obvious difference between fakes and originals is that fakes have very straight nibs. Make sure the nib is stamped with an S. If it isn’t, it’s probably not real.
Look for any extra marks on your nib that don’t belong there such as other letters or numbers beside the S or additional information about where it was made or who made it.
These marks would be found on older models of Sheaffers, so this may not be an issue if you have an older model of Sheaffer but if you have a newer model and these marks are present, then this could mean that your pen is fake.
Inspect the converter
A Sheaffer pen’s converter is its most distinguishing feature, and it’s also one of the simplest methods to identify a fake. The converter is what you fill with ink and screw into the pen’s body. It has a small metal disk inside that touches the tip of the nib when you’re writing.
If you look closely at your converter, you’ll see that it’s made of two halves held together by a screw thread. Each half has grooves that allow air to pass through from one side to the other.
A fake Shaeffer pen will have two halves glued together, with no option for air to pass through at all. This makes for an unpleasant writing experience as you’ll feel suction pulling on your hand as soon as you start writing.
Look at all the stamps and markings
Next, look at the stampings on the pen. Most pens will have a logo or brand name of some kind, along with some sort of serial number. If you’re looking at a Sheaffer pen and there’s no logo, it’s probably fake.
You may also see a date stamp somewhere on the pen; this is usually located near the back end of the nib (the part that touches paper) and will tell you when your pen was made.
Finally, look for any production date stamps that might be present on your fake Scheaffer pen; these may appear anywhere from above or below where you’d normally hold it while writing to just below where ink flows into your writing instrument from its reservoir (commonly called an “inkwell”).
The Clip
If you look at the clip on top of your pen (the part that attaches to your shirt or jacket), you should see “Sheaffer” written in cursive letters at the top of it. You may also notice that there is no company name on any other parts of the pen.
This is because Sheaffer was such an established brand by the time they started making fountain pens that they didn’t need to advertise their products in this way.
The Cap
If it’s tarnished or looks different from the rest of the pen, then it could be a knockoff. You can also test this by trying to bend it; if it’s too soft or too hard, it’s probably not real gold or silver plating.
Most vintage Sheaffer pens have caps that unscrew from the barrel rather than snapping into place like modern ballpoints do. The cap has metal threading, and it can only be screwed onto the barrel once.
If you try to screw it back on, you’ll discover that the cap will not tighten all the way down. Once you’ve unscrewed your pen and put it back together, you should always tighten the cap until there is a slight resistance before letting go of it. This ensures that your pen will not leak ink while stored in your pocket or purse.
Feel the weight
When you pick up a genuine Sheaffer pen, it should feel heavy in your hand. Sheaffer pens weigh around 1.5 ounces, so if your pen is significantly lighter than this, it may be fake.
The weight difference between real and fake pens is easy to spot when you’re holding the pen in your hand: a real steel-nibbed replica will weigh about 2 ounces; a plastic one will be closer to 1 ounce.
A metal body also contributes to the overall heft of the instrument; many fakes are made from plastic or resin and can feel very light in comparison.
Conclusion
Knowing how to identify a fake Sheaffer pen now, you can protect yourself from fraud. When buying a Sheaffer pen, ask for a receipt and check for fraudulent stamps and markings. These stamps are used by counterfeiters to make their products look legitimate.
If none are available to you in person, take a picture of it at different angles so that you can compare them later on when purchasing online or through an auction site like eBay.