Sheaffer · 1959–1968 · Snorkel and Touchdown
Plastic cap, gold-filled band, 14K inlaid nib
Sheaffer launched the PFM, short for Pen For Men, in 1959 with a lot of fanfare. It was the biggest Snorkel, and it introduced the inlaid nib, a gold point set flush into the section that Sheaffer kept making in one form or another until 2014. The line ran from the PFM I to the PFM V. The III has a plastic cap that matches the barrel, a wide gold-filled band, a gold-filled clip with the White Dot, and a 14K inlaid nib. The I and II used palladium silver nibs, the IV has a stainless steel cap, and the V has a gold-filled one. The pen didn't sell as Sheaffer hoped, and by the mid 1960s only the III and V were left before it was dropped in 1968. Colors were black, burgundy, blue, green and a gray that lasted about a year. Collectors now rank it among Sheaffer's classics. The III gets you the gold nib and full Snorkel filler with the simplest trim.
The PFM uses the Snorkel filler, so most need a new sac, O-ring and seals to fill properly, and old leaks can rust the parts inside. The cap is a push-on fit that grips three small pegs on the section, and a worn fit won't hold the cap firmly.
Buying guide
Only six PFM IIIs are for sale and the $260–320 delivered band rests on three fixed-price pens, so it isn't much of a market read. Our pick is ithllc's dark blue pen at $259 delivered, the cheapest one you can buy outright, but check the photos for what "Embossed" means, since a name imprint lowers the value. Two gopens_com auctions sit at $21 and $63 delivered with eight days left, one with its box, and both will climb. No title says the Snorkel's been resealed, so ask the seller to fill it with water and show it draws and expels a full load.
$21.00est. delivered
The lowest current price at about $21 delivered, a blue PFM III with a 14K nib. It had 2 bids and eight days left at capture, so it will climb, and we'd stay well under $259 delivered, the cheapest fixed-price pen here, since most PFMs need new seals.
Sheaffer PFM III Blue vintage fountain pen Australia 14k gold nib
$258.65est. delivered
The cheapest PFM III you can buy outright, in dark blue at $259 delivered, just under the band. Ask whether the Snorkel's been resealed, and check the barrel in the photos for a name imprint.
SHEAFFER SNORKEL PFM III, O/SIZE FOUNTAIN PEN DARK BLUE C1960 Embossed
$359.99est. delivered
The only pen here sold with its original box and papers, at $360 delivered, about $40 over the band top. That's a sane premium for a complete boxed PFM III, so check that the box matches and ask for a water test.
Vintage Sheaffer PFM-III Fountain Pen 14K Nib In Box Original with Papers
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 5, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Snapshot
Checked . Some may have sold.
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 5, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Used$21.00est. delivered
$11.50 + $9.50 shipping
Auction · 2 bids · ends in 8d 4h
Good buy
Blue, 14K nib. Auction with eight days left.
Seller: gopens_com
100% positive
Used$258.65est. delivered
$250.00 + $8.65 shipping
Buy It Now$250.00
Good buy
Dark blue. Check the barrel for a name imprint.
Seller: ithllc
99.6% positive
Used$359.99est. delivered
$350.00 + $9.99 shipping
Buy It Now$350.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
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Good buy
Original box and papers.
Seller: estatebuyersinmo
99.8% positive
Used$62.50est. delivered
$53.00 + $9.50 shipping
Auction · 3 bids · ends in 8d 4h
Our take
Comes with a box, 14K nib. Auction with eight days left.
Seller: gopens_com
100% positive
Used$264.00delivered
$264.00 · free shipping
Auction · no bids yet · ends in 2d 22h
Our take
Black and gold, 14K medium-fine nib. Auction opens at $264 with free shipping.
Seller: wingat-88
98.6% positive
Used$276.99est. delivered
$244.96 + $32.03 shipping
Buy It Now$244.96
Our take
Ships from the UK with $32 shipping. No details in the title.
Seller: adyf
100% positive
Prices change daily. The live eBay search shows everything listed now, including anything new since Oct 5, 2026.
See every listing on eBay ↗eBay searchA pen that’s sat in a drawer for decades wants a flush before it sees ink. A bulb syringe, pen flush and a bottle of well-behaved ink cover most of it. This searches Amazon for the usual kit.
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Sheaffer · 1952–1959
Snorkel and TouchdownPalladium silver Triumph point, plastic cap
Post-war golden age
$75–$170 typical ask
Sheaffer · 1952–1959
Snorkel and TouchdownGold-filled cap, 14K two-tone Triumph point
Post-war golden age
$180–$250 typical ask
Sheaffer · 1949
Snorkel and Touchdown1949 only, Touchdown filler
Post-war golden age
$85–$210 typical ask
Sheaffer · 1929–1942
Button and lever fillerStriated Marine Green, lever filler, 1937
Pre-war and wartime
$110–$190 typical ask
Sheaffer · 1976–1998
Cartridge and converterMatte black, gold-plated trim, Classic size
Modern
$110–$200 typical ask