PenHero 365: Sheaffer Stylist 404C
by Jim Mamoulides, February 7, 2010
Sheaffer Stylist 404C fountain pen open - note white "S" marking instead of White Dot on clip
The Stylist was the first major line announced by Sheaffer after the acquisition of the company by Textron on March 1, 1966. The line was obviously already under development as Sheaffer scheduled a series of advertisements in Life magazine in the April 22, May 6 and May 27, 1966 issues, in the May, 1966 Ebony magazine, and the May 22, 1966 edition of each major newspaper in the top ten market cities. The emphasis for the new line was style, thus the name, and the campaign consisted of full page, full color advertisements stating what "Style is", using the keywords taste, performance, togetherness, and slimness. The copy and images in the advertisements tied the Stylist line to each of these traits, and was aimed at both men and women. This is something of a departure for Sheaffer, which had previously marked separate lines to men and women, as recently as the 1959 Lady Sheaffer.
Sheaffer Stylist 404C fountain pen closed with Sheaffer Stylist 404C Glidewriter open
The Stylist introduced a number of new features to Sheaffer pens. The first can be seen right away with the pen closed. The pen is tapered and flat ended, as with the Imperial line, though the ends are both round. On the Stylist, the cap is flush with barrel when closed. The large, narrow, spring-loaded clothes pen style clip works by pressing the top, but this is not what will catch the eye of a Sheaffer collector. Instead of the White Dot, seen at the top of the clip of all recent top of the line Sheaffer pens, the Stylist has a white "S" in a similar font as the newly redesigned Sheaffer logo. This change will have a short life, as the White Dot reappears in 1969.
Sheaffer Stylist 404C fountain pen nib detail
Pulling the cap off reveals the second new feature, the new, "dual point" two-way nib unit, with its arrowhead mark on the top. Sheaffer offered the Stylist with seven nib grades. The nib is not hallmarked and the catalog does not indicate that the nib is 14 karat gold, so the gold color nibs may be plated. The nib bisects the unit and very little metal shows. The backside of the nib unit is stamped with the nib grade. This side of the nib will write finer than the front side. The nib unit screws into the front of the section, making it easy to change and is marked permanently on the bottom with the nib type. Unscrewing the barrel reveals the new Sheaffer button converter, which works similarly to an old style button fill fountain pen. Dip the section in ink and press the button several times to fill the pen.
The Stylist was offered in several finishes. This set is the 404C, Brushed Chrome with gold plated trim. The cap and barrel are chrome plated brushed brass. Some collectors confuse Sheaffer pens with brushed chrome finishes with stainless steel pens, as offered by Parker, even to the point of calling these Sheaffer models "Flighters," a name only Parker uses. Brushed chrome means brushed chrome plated brass. The 404C line consisted of a Push Button Fill fountain pen (US $5.00 retail), Glidewriter cartridge fill felt tip pen (US $3.95 retail), ballpoint pen (US $5.00 retail), and twist action pencil (US $5.00 retail).
Sheaffer Stylist 404C fountain pen open with cartridge pack and instructions
This Sheaffer Stylist 404C is a standard size, moderate weight pen, weighing 0.7 ounce and being 5 1/2 inches long with the cap on and 5 7/8 inches with the cap posted on the end of the barrel. Although the pen posts quite securely, I worry that posting is going to scuff the barrel, so I prefer to use the pen unposted.
Sheaffer Stylist 404C fountain pen open with push button converter - note "F" marking on nib indicating fine nib type
The Sheaffer Stylist 404C is a cartridge pen, and that is the primary way I like to use it. What's easier than popping a cartridge in the barrel, screwing the section back on and starting to write? The button fill unit says, "push button one to three times" to fill and makes a loud snapping noise when used. I have several of these that are worn out and don't consider them reliable. There is also no way to know how full the converter is. If I am going to use a converter, the new piston converters will fit, and work just fine.
This pen came with a smooth, wet writing and firm fine nib that writes extra fine on the opposite side. Sheaffer nibs write very nicely, and this new style nib unit meets the standard seen with earlier nib units.
Sheaffer Stylist 404C four writing instrument set, showing fountain pen, Glidewriter pen, pencil, ballpoint pen and accessories
The Stylist is an interesting side road in Sheaffer's history. I personally think they are more cheaply made and less attractive than the Sheaffer Lifetime pens they replaced. The Stylist is more bland than stylish, and other than the "S" logo on the clip, these could be generic pens made by any manufacturer. They are not distinctive and trend setting as many previous Sheaffer models. Sheaffer changed the line after a couple of years, returning the White Dot to the clip and replacing the dual point nib unit with the short Triumph nib. By 1969, Sheaffer reintroduced the Imperial line and the Stylist was quickly retired.
There are quite a few Stylist models, from the low end models with a chrome plated cap and plastic barrel to the high end models including one with a chased 22 karat gold electroplated cap and barrel and cartouche for engraving. Stylist pens write well, they are often available in unused condition, and as they are not highly valued, a nice collection can be made without a large investment.
Selected References
News from Sheaffer, June, 1966, W. A. Sheaffer Pen Company, Fort Madison, IA, USA
Sheaffer Catalog 1967, W. A. Sheaffer Pen Company, Fort Madison, IA, USA
Sheaffer Review, March, 1966, W. A. Sheaffer Pen Company, Fort Madison, IA, USA
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