USS North Carolina (BB-55) Jr. Pen Blank Set Ship’s Seal Cap + Authentic Teak Deck Wood

USS North Carolina (BB-55) Jr. Pen Blank Set

Turn a piece of living naval history with this Junior-size pen blank set. It pairs a precision-cast resin cap featuring the official seal of the USS North Carolina (BB-55) with a solid lower blank cut from original teak decking recovered from the battleship. Each set includes a Certificate of Authenticity documenting the provenance of the teak.

What's Included

• Cap blank: High-quality resin casting of the USS North Carolina ship’s seal
• Lower blank: Solid teak from the actual deck of BB-55
• Sized for Junior (Jr.) pen kits

For guidance on tube sizes and compatible pen kits, see our detailed reference: Understanding Tube Sizes for Pen Kits at Stadium Pen Blanks

Material Provenance & Turning Vision

The teak wood in this set comes from the ship’s actual deck planking. Teak was selected for battleship decks due to its exceptional durability, resistance to rot, and ability to insulate against tropical conditions. Each piece carries the physical memory of the sailors who served aboard. Turn this material into a meaningful heirloom pen that honors naval service. Suggested projects include elegant desk pens, matching letter openers, or small keepsake boxes. Pen blanks | Pen display stands & COA holders | Magic Juice Polishing Compound | Compatible Pen Component Sets | US Navy ship wood | Military relics

USS North Carolina (BB-55) Service History

The USS North Carolina (BB-55) was the lead ship of her class and the first new battleship built for the U.S. Navy after the Washington Naval Treaty era. Laid down in 1937 and commissioned in April 1941, she displaced 44,800 tons at full load and carried nine 16-inch guns in three triple turrets. Her design balanced speed, armor, and firepower, achieving 28 knots while providing substantial protection for her crew of over 2,300.

During World War II she earned 15 battle stars, more than any other U.S. battleship. She screened aircraft carriers in the Guadalcanal campaign, provided gunfire support at Tarawa, Kwajalein, and Saipan, and helped neutralize Japanese airfields and shore batteries across the Pacific. In 1942 she took a torpedo hit from a Japanese submarine yet remained operational, demonstrating the resilience of her construction. After the war she was decommissioned in 1947 and placed in reserve. In 1961 she was donated to the state of North Carolina and opened as a museum ship in Wilmington, where she remains today as a National Historic Landmark and popular educational site.

Enthusiasts value North Carolina teak because it directly connects the finished pen to one of the most decorated battleships of the Pacific Theater. The wood witnessed major amphibious landings and carrier task force operations that shaped the outcome of the war. Turning this material preserves a tangible link to that legacy while creating a functional piece of history.