1952 Parker 21 Deluxe - Leaky With Poor Flow, Thoughts?

November 15, 2014

Howdy.

I came across a well used and cared for 1952 Parker 21 Deluxe.

The pen hadn't been used in a while so I sent it to the ultrasound for a dip and then for a couple flushes.

Filling the pen according to the instructions only got it 2/3rds full. Unlike my 21 Special which goes up near the top.

Around the feed at the nib edges collects lots of ink ready to drip with any sudden movement.

It writes ok but requires extra pressure to get a wet line.

It is a F nib as far as I can tell and I'm using modern Parker Quink Blue.

I'm thinking perhaps it needs more time in the ultrasound.

November 15, 2014

It seems the pen has an extra air entrance, that's why ink drops are falling down. It can be from a punctured sac, a cracked section or unsealed threads. Try submerging it on cold water up to the threads and try to fill it. If bubbles apear no matter how many pumps you do, then the sac needs to be replaced.

Edited November 15, 2014 by icardoth

November 16, 2014

1,000 Gracias. I'll try that. Is it difficult to replace the sac on the 21?

November 16, 2014

Read this thread

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/223983-youve-got-your-first-found-in-the-wild-parker-51-in-your-hand-now-what/

It has good ideas on cleaning your pen.

An USC does not do a good job of cleaning the collector of a 21 or 51 of liquid ink. In my experience an overnight soaking does a better job. And the method is described in the thread above.

Some of the pens were indeed dry and were meant to be that way, so the ink would dry quickly.

Are you in northern Calif, near the SF Bay Area?

If you are, you should try to come to the one of the Pen Posse meet ups. One of the guys is a good Parker guy and can take a look at your pen. But there is limited stuff that can be done with a 21, as the plastic can be fragile.