This is a Sheaffer Cadet Tip-Dip fountain pen in burgundy c. 1956-1961. The 5 1/4 inch long Tip-Dip pens were introduced in 1953 and featured a simple pneumatic Touchdown filling system with a hole in the front end of the feed so only the tip of the nib had to be put in ink to fill the pen, thus the name. The cap and barrel are plastic and the trim is chrome plated. The nib is stamped M1 for medium. It sold for $3.75. The barrel imprint reads W. A. SHEAFFER PEN CO. over FORT MADISON, IOWA U.S.A. over MADE in U.S.A. Black, burgundy, pastel grey, pastel blue (aqua) and pastel green were the initial colors and by 1956 vermillion, sage green and a new burgundy were added. By 1963 the catalog colors were black, (new) burgundy, blue and sage green. The 1955 catalog shows 16 interchangeable firm and flexible stainless steel points that screw in to the section like an Esterbrook.
