USS Iowa (BB-61) Jr. Pen Blank Set
Ship’s Seal Cap + Authentic Teak Deck Wood

Turn a piece of living naval history. This Junior-size pen blank set pairs a precision-cast resin cap featuring the official seal of the USS Iowa (BB-61) with a solid lower blank cut from original teak decking recovered from the lead ship of the Iowa-class battleships.

What’s Included

• Cap blank: High-quality resin casting of the USS Iowa ship’s seal

• Lower blank: Solid teak from the actual deck of BB-61

• Sized for Junior (Jr.) pen kits

Each set includes a Certificate of Authenticity documenting the provenance of the teak.

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

Historical Significance of the USS Iowa (BB-61)

The USS Iowa (BB-61) is the lead ship of the Iowa-class battleships—the last and most powerful class of battleships ever built by the United States. Laid down in June 1940 and commissioned on February 22, 1943, Iowa represented the pinnacle of American battleship design. Fast, heavily armed, and heavily armored, she combined a top speed of over 33 knots with nine 16-inch/50-caliber guns capable of firing 2,700-pound shells more than 20 miles.

During World War II, Iowa served primarily in the Pacific Theater. She screened aircraft carriers, bombarded enemy shore positions, and supported major operations including the Marshall Islands campaign, the Marianas, and the Philippines. In late 1943 she carried President Franklin D. Roosevelt across the Atlantic to the Tehran Conference.

Reactivated for the Korean War in 1951, Iowa provided heavy naval gunfire support along the Korean peninsula. She was decommissioned again in 1958. Nearly three decades later, as part of the Reagan-era naval buildup, Iowa was modernized and recommissioned in 1984. Her 16-inch guns and newly installed Tomahawk and Harpoon missile systems returned her to the fleet as a formidable surface combatant during the final years of the Cold War.

Tragedy struck on April 19, 1989, when an explosion in Turret Two killed 47 crew members during a gunnery exercise. The incident remains one of the darkest days in modern U.S. Navy history. The teak used in these blanks comes from the ship’s original decking, giving each pen a tangible connection to this storied vessel. Turners appreciate the dense, stable grain of the teak paired with the crisp detail of the resin seal cap.

Compatibility & Turning Notes

These blanks are sized specifically for Junior pen kits. The resin cap accepts standard tube sizes; the teak lower blank machines cleanly with carbide tools and accepts a wide range of finishes including CA glue, polyurethane, and friction polish. Always test fit tubes before final assembly.

Project Ideas

Ideal for military-themed pens, retirement gifts, or commemorative pieces for naval veterans and history enthusiasts. Pair with other Historical Materials or Military blanks from our catalog for matching sets.

Care & Safety

Store blanks in a cool, dry place. Wear appropriate PPE when turning and finishing. The Certificate of Authenticity is included with every set.