Question About Sonnet

[chas0039]

 

I just received a black Sonnet from ebay and, while listed as New, it had been inked, was in the wrong box, and had no paperwork at all.

 

However, the condition of the pen was mint so I figured, no big deal. Then, as I was looking it over, I spotted something. 18k/ 750 and the mint marks.

 

Pretty good trade, paperwork and a box for an 18k nib.

 

So my question, as I am more of a Duofold person, is this. Did this Black Sonnet ever come with an 18k nib or did it get swapped somewhere? If it is original, when would you guess it is dated?n It has the trim rings from the current offerings at Parker and a date code of III Q, which looks like 1990 which doesn't make sense. I looked at the counterfeit Sonnet web pages and this looks genuine.

 

Thanks

Edited September 13, 2014 by watch_art

[shuuemura]

Yes, this configuration exists. I've seen it in a pen shop in Hongkong.

[Freddy]

I just received a black Sonnet from ebay and, while listed as New, it had been inked, was in the wrong box, and had no paperwork at all.

 

However, the condition of the pen was mint so I figured, no big deal. Then, as I was looking it over, I spotted something. 18k/ 750 and the mint marks.

 

Pretty good trade, paperwork and a box for an 18k nib.

 

So my question, as I am more of a Duofold person, is this. Did this Black Sonnet ever come with an 18k nib or did it get swapped somewhere? If it is original, when would you guess it is dated?n It has the trim rings from the current offerings at Parker and a date code of III Q, which looks like 1990 which doesn't make sense. I looked at the counterfeit Sonnet web pages and this looks genuine.

 

Thanks

 

The Sonnet in question{thin cap lip}came standard with solid monotone 750/1000 Au nibs. In 1996/1997 your pen retailed

for $130 usd, Laque Firedance at $145 usd, and sterling silver

Fougere with solid two tone 18kt. gold/rhodium plated nib

at $285..with all prices at msr.

 

Fred

What a monstrous tail our cat has got

~ Henry Carey ~

[pajaro]

I have a red lacque pen from the Sonnet Refresh group that has IIIQ date code and came with a gold plated nib. This pen might be a fake, date code seems invalid.

 

I have several Sonnets that came with 18K nibs. Parker also made two-tone 18K nibs.

[chas0039]

I tried to delete this post and it got restored. Then it was locked and now it is not.

 

I deleted it because I did more digging and comparing, and there is no question, the pen is a fake. So the questions are moot. BTW, my fake also has a IIIQ invalid date code.

 

Thanks all.

Edited September 14, 2014 by chas0039

[watch_art]

The thread isn't moot or pointless because now it serves to educate others.

[pajaro]

I tried to delete this post and it got restored. Then it was locked and now it is not.

 

I deleted it because I did more digging and comparing, and there is no question, the pen is a fake. So the questions are moot. BTW, my fake also has a IIIQ invalid date code.

 

Thanks all.

 

When did production start? Were these possibly early production stocked for the introduction? Or is the IIIQ date code one used on a lot of fakes and a trademark of a fake?

[chas0039]

I can't really say. My fake bothered me right away because of the steel nib marked 18k. Then I compared the feather lines on the clip and the quality of the top cap and pretty soon the fake gold trim could be seen. Since the pen was sold as brand new, the date code makes no sense as the Sonnet was not around in 1990. Then the above poster reported the same date code.

 

It almost had me fooled until I compared it to my genuine pen.

Edited September 15, 2014 by chas0039

[ceejaybee]

I can't really say. My fake bothered me right away because of the steel nib marked 18k. Then I compared the feather lines on the clip and the quality of the top cap and pretty soon the fake gold trim could be seen. Since the pen was sold as brand new, the date code makes no sense as the Sonnet was not around in 1990. Then the above poster reported the same date code.

 

It almost had me fooled until I compared it to my genuine pen.

 

Chas, the IIIQ datecode is also being used for 2010 (Parker are reusing the same codes from the 1990s for 2010> despite what you've read elsewhere) so this shouldn't be used as evidence of a fake. If it is a 2010 made Sonnet then it should have the current style cap band shown at the top of this photo with the two incised rings at the top and one at the base.

http://i865.photobucket.com/albums/ab212/ceejaybee_photo/sonnetcapbands.jpg

Hope this helps

[chas0039]

That wasn't the major piece. The rest of the condition was the clincher as well as the fake gold nib.

[pajaro]

 

Chas, the IIIQ datecode is also being used for 2010 (Parker are reusing the same codes from the 1990s for 2010> despite what you've read elsewhere) so this shouldn't be used as evidence of a fake. If it is a 2010 made Sonnet then it should have the current style cap band shown at the top of this photo with the two incised rings at the top and one at the base.

http://i865.photobucket.com/albums/ab212/ceejaybee_photo/sonnetcapbands.jpg

Hope this helps

 

Thanks. I didn't know Parker was re-using the date code. My pen then, is genuine. Everything is good on it then.

[Matlock]

 

Thanks. I didn't know Parker was re-using the date code. My pen then, is genuine. Everything is good on it then.

 

Parker date codes cycle round QUALITYPEN. The quarter indicators (III etc) alternate before and after, sometimes with dots, sometimes without.

[chas0039]

 

Thanks. I didn't know Parker was re-using the date code. My pen then, is genuine. Everything is good on it then.

 

Another big tip off for my pen was the feathering on the clip. Parker lines are crisp and taper off at the ends to a precise sharp point. My fake looks crude next the real thing and they just stop rather than taper.

[watch_art]

I would love a photo of your pen for this thread.

[chas0039]

I'll see if I can get the microscope from work tomorrow.

[watch_art]

microscope? can you only tell if the edges are bad under a microscope? Any pen might look bad like that!

[chas0039]

microscope? can you only tell if the edges are bad under a microscope? Any pen might look bad like that!

Not at all. The comparison to any genuine Parker shows the differences right away. This copy was so good, only direct comparison showed the issues. Remember, this is either a fake, or Parker is selling really poorly made pens, in non-Parker plastic boxes from Taiwan, no paperwork, with Nibs stamped 18k/750 that are actually made of steel. And the jewel on the inner cap assembly holding the clip has a big gap and left over glue. And all the "gold" trim is rough, compared to Parker, and the wrong color.

[watch_art]

Dang.

[chas0039]

No Dang needed. Pictures should be up by tomorrow this time.

[chas0039]

Very sorry these pictures are not better. Chrome is just harder and the lens is not that good.

 

First picture is the fake and the next two are genuine. The rest of what I tried to shoot just couldn't show the differences.

Edited September 16, 2014 by chas0039