My first Parker! Now what do I do?

[jzuzphreek]

Ok, so with the grand experience of 2 vintage pens, one simply needing a flush, the other clean and just needing a sac - I have my first project pen! I found this in the wild today after scouring the store, I decided to ask the cashier (1 cashier for several shops in a flea market... no bargaining. ). Tip to the hunters... always ask! He fished this out for me and said another fellow had been in a few days earlier and bought 2 others, but left this one. Actually knowing what to look for I began the internal battle of wills. Obviously we know which side won. After all, this was a PARKER pen of some vintage for $10!

So now comes the job of ID-ing. I'm sure some of you can just look at it and tell me what it is. I can't seem to find a date code. The next step will be cleaning inside the barrel. Looks like quite a bit of gunk. Also, the button doesn't push. I know there's plenty of brassing, and the cap over the button (blind cap?) looks like it's been nibbled, but to me, that just adds character. The nib looks to be in good condition. I was able to nudge the feed to line up with the center of the nib. Is this a bad sign? Should there be enough play to do that? What else should I do to the nib, feed, section?

View attachment 333448

 

[syngent]

The pre dates the Duofold I think, Not sure about all the issues, but you may want to send that one out if it can be repaired

 

[jzuzphreek]

The pre dates the Duofold I think, Not sure about all the issues, but you may want to send that one out if it can be repaired

James... I think there's a typo. What you meant to say was "Jessy, this certainly looks like something you could handle!"

 

[ChefJohnBoy-ardee]

read up on Parker Vac overhauls then decide if you think you can do it...

 

[jzuzphreek]

read up on Parker Vac overhauls then decide if you think you can do it...

It's not a vac. It's a button filler. The sac and filler mechanism shouldn't be a problem. It's the nib and feed I'm pretty worried about.

 

[syngent]

Just a button filler I think, im not sure they made vacs yet when this was made. binders site has a lot of info on these pens, Brian and Doug have played with them at some point I would venture

It may be something you can do yourself Jessy, I just meant its a nice pen, you may want to consider having a pro take a stab at making it a real stunner

as far as the mechanics and nib go, if it is indeed a button filler, they look simple enough to me, the nib on the other hands will depend on if it still has its tips, and how aligned it is

take a shot at it, go slowly, and dont drop it



Dangit beaten by a minute lol

 

[nemo]

I can't really tell from the pics but I imagine it's a black hard rubber Duofold Jr. Lucky Curve although the feed looks like it's a later one, you'll be able to see the curve when you get it apart to re-sac. Is it faded black?

Congrats on a nice score, $10 was quite the deal.

 

[jzuzphreek]

I can't really tell from the pics but I imagine it's a black hard rubber Duofold Jr. Lucky Curve although the feed looks like it's a later one, you'll be able to see the curve when you get it apart to re-sac. Is it faded black?

Congrats on a nice score, $10 was quite the deal.

I have it apart. What curve? Looking through this site, this pen does seem closest to the Duofold Jr. pens. It's not straight black though. It's blacker than the pictures show, but it's got a pattern. kinda marbleized I guess?

 

[syngent]

http://www.richardspens.com/?page=ref/profiles/duofold.htm

the bottom of this page shows the different colours they come in over time

 

[jzuzphreek]

THe closest thing would be the burgundy and black. But the cap is more greenish. I suppose that could just be time and wear though.

 

[jzuzphreek]

Anything that dissolves sticky sac residue but not resin?

 

[nemo]

I have it apart. What curve? Looking through this site, this pen does seem closest to the Duofold Jr. pens. It's not straight black though. It's blacker than the pictures show, but it's got a pattern. kinda marbleized I guess?

No curve, I was thinking of a really early feed. My mistake. Yours could have had the Christmas tree feed like this though -

Some had chasing, the pattern looks like maybe it was cut into the rubber?

Timeline info here: http://penhero.com/PenGallery/Parker/ParkerDuofoldFlattop.htm

 

[jzuzphreek]

Got the sac out... most of it anyway.

Whoops... Got the pressure bar out too. Guess it needed to come out anyway.

 

[jzuzphreek]

No curve, I was thinking of a really early feed. My mistake. Yours could have had the Christmas tree feed like this though -

Some had chasing, the pattern looks like maybe it was cut into the rubber?

Timeline info here: http://penhero.com/PenGallery/Parker/ParkerDuofoldFlattop.htm

Well... The nib doesn't look or feel like rubber for one thing. And the other thing, it doesn't have that stepped pattern like the graphic there shows. Here's 2 close ups of mine.

 

[jzuzphreek]

I'm wondering if this used to be jade green once upon a time.

Parker Duofold 1927 Advertisement - 3 Sizes / 6 Graduated Points / 5 Jewel-Like ColorsParker added two new colors to the line, Lapis Lazuli and Mandarin Yellow, and brought the Jade color officially into the line, giving a total of five colors: Lacquer Red, Jet Black, Jade Green, Lapis Lazuli blue, and Mandarin Yellow.

In my experience, red and green Duofolds are the most common found in the wild. Unfortunately the Jade green plastic, although very durable, was very susceptible to staining and discoloration from ink and the rubber sacs, so perfect colored pens are fairly hard to find and command a fairly high price.

The only issue I'm having is that everything I'm reading says that "Duofold" or "Duofold Jr." or "Lady Duofold" accompanied "Lucky Curve" on the barrel. My barrel doesn't say Duofold anywhere. But I'm starting to think this pen is from sometime in the 20s...ish. Which would make it the oldest thing I own.... I is just cool.

 

[RichieRich3902]

The A is a Parker Replacement Feed. The original color was probably the Jade Green, they fade out really bad over time.

 

[jzuzphreek]

Interesting about the replacement. Makes the whole thing even more curious.

 

[jzuzphreek]

Congratulations on your recent Duofold find. You know, if your pen's green barrel is marked with one of the two "Lucky Curve" logos, it's rarer than the later "Duofold" model. The pens are identical except for the absence of "Duofold" on the very early green barrels. I agree with all of the previous repair advice. Just be patient and don't force anything. If after soaking the section doesn't unscrew easily, soak some more. The Duofold is, in my opinion, the easiest of the great pens to work on. Actually, it's the easiest of all the pens my limited mechanical ability allows me to attempt. Fully broken down, it has only 10 parts; bladder makes 11. Because the parts are so readily available, there's no need to repair anything; just replace them. The parts are cap tube, cap top, pocket clip, barrel, blind (or false) cap, brass button, pressure bar, section, feed, nib. Good luck and have fun!

Interesting what he has to say about the Lucky Curve logo. Could I have a rare pen?

 

[jzuzphreek]

What the best thing to use to work the shellac off the nipple? Also, how much/hard should I scrub inside the barrel to get the last little bit of crud out? All i need now is a sac and a pressure bar?

Ooo... Also, best way to clean up the nib and feed? Soap and water?

 

[nemo]

Use a small knife (pocket knife or kitchen paring knife) and carefully scrape off the hardened shellac and ossified sac. Don't cut, use the blade at 90 degrees and it will be down to bare material in no time. Inside of the barrel doesn't have to be super clean.

Soaking the nib/feed can be in cool water or mild water-ammonia solution, 10:1
Did you knock the feed and nib out of the section or is it all together still?

1926-27 I think when the DUOFOLD imprint is missing.