VINTAGE SHEAFFER TARGA 1024x BALLPOINT PEN, 925 SOLID SILVER/GT, SILVER PLATED BOX

  
Sheaffer used his jewellery expertise to create a device which would allow users to fill a pen with ink much easier, cleaner and be more aesthetically-pleasing. Sheaffer, dedicated his life savings to his idea of a pen-filling apparatus that initiates a lever system. By the 1930's, Sheaffer pens had solidified itself as a leader in the luxury pen market. The fountain pens were advertised as the pen that fills instantly from any ink-well, with one touch of a finger. Instantly, Sheaffer became a household name and must-have product.

They have been innovators in their illustrious existence. They pioneered different nib styles in the 1920 making them more reliable, they were one of the first pen manufacturers to move away from hard rubber materials to celluloid, they altered pen shapes and introduced innovation such as the snorkel filling system.

Sheaffer was a family owned company until 1966 when the diversified Textron Conglomerate acquired control of the firm, becoming Sheaffer-Eaton. Under Bic's tenure the Iowa plant was closed in March 2008 with production moving to China and operational aspects like purchasing, warehousing etc moving to Slovakia. At the design stage the Targa was given the name Genesis however, for global marketing reasons it was later changed to Targa.

The targa name comes from the Targa Florio, an open road endurance race held near Palermo in Sicily between 1906 and 1977, and is now run as a rallying event. The wider girth "Classic" design was first made in 1976, with the Slimline version being introduced in 1982, during Sheaffer's short lived penchant for thinner model pens. The stainless steel fountain pen with a long inlaid steel nib was the starting point for the Targa. In between these two pens was a vast array of finishes ranging from chrome, brass, diverse lacquered finishes, 925 grade solid silver, silver plated, palladium, white gold to name a few. The targa had a modern, quality engineered beginning, but was given another dimension with the artisan flair of European finishes making the Targa a modern classic.

On offer is a 2nd edition Sheaffer Targa 1024x Ballpoint pen made from 925 grade solid silver with gold trim. This type of targa with the 1024 straight lined pattern was.

Made in the USA with a hallmark for the UK market and only. Produced for a limited time, circa 1988 to 1996. This pen type remains a desirable Targa model to this day, primarily because it is manufactured from 925 solid silver. The ballpoint pen has a fluted pattern, solid silver body and cap with gold plated trim.

The cap have a gold plated targa top hat with black finial and gold plated clip, sporting the iconic Sheaffer white dot. The ballpoint pen has 925 hallmark stamped on the cap indicating the grade of silver used.

1024x pens with a hallmark tend only to have been produced for the UK and French markets. For a 40+ year old pen I would say it is in very good age appropriate aesthetic condition with no appreciable scratches, dents, dings or any personalisation on the either pens, although as with all used vintage pens, there will be the inevitable micro signs of use. The pen is presented in its original silver plated Sheaffer box. I would urge you to refer closely to the photographs to satisfy yourself as to the condition of these pens, as they form an integral part of the description.

Thank you for taking an interest in this lovely pen set. I also have other pens for sale that may be of interest to you.