This pretty pen was identified as a Challenger in the Ebay auction, but the imprint is "Geo.S.Parker-PARKER-Made in U.S.A." and a date code of 9. I had thought that Challengers were imprinted as such. The clip says "Parker" and the nib says "Parker Pen Made in U.S.A." (Sorry for the poor photo). It's a small pen, only 4 5/8 inches capped. The blind cap and top jewel are black. It's a button filler. Thanks so much for any help!
Bob
Full Version: Pen ID Needed
I dont think I can offer allot of help but first I think it is called in general Thrift time pen.These pens where low quality pens that were produced at the 30s when the USA was in a BIG economical problems.
I myself own an exact set like the pen you have (FP+Pencil).I gave it to a guy I know and he fixed the filling mechanism but the nib is slightly bent and has no iridium.
If you get any more info please let me know cause I myself am trying to learn more about these pens.
I myself own an exact set like the pen you have (FP+Pencil).I gave it to a guy I know and he fixed the filling mechanism but the nib is slightly bent and has no iridium.
If you get any more info please let me know cause I myself am trying to learn more about these pens.
The pen pictured is a Deluxe Challenger. The triple cap band is diagonstic.
The pen is not a Deluxe Challenger. The clip is diagnostic of that non-DC-edness 
The pen is one that collector convention tends- unfortunately- to lump in under the evil banner of Parker thrift-era pen, which comprises probably 5-6 different series that had little by parker intent to do with each other but share in common at least the lack- when made in USA- of a model name on the barrel, just "parker" etc. It is not really a THRIFT PEN, just a 1930-1938 or so Parker Pen unfortunate enough not to get its own name.
Indeed, this one is one of the last of 'em.
It is found in two sizes, though by far more commonly in this small size.
It is somewhat chimeric in terms of Challenger and Deluxe Challenger features.
The triple cap-band indeed evokes the Deluxe Challenger. The clip is a blade clip but with thin-washer retaining ring of the regular Challenger, not the fat ring of the Deluxe. THe pen has no model imprint, unlike Either Deluxe or regular Challenger. Sometimes (usually ones a tad earlier than this one-iirc) mottled matching endpieces are present. The barrel plastic tends to be the heavily mottled pattern of regular Challenger, not the pearl-chunks-on-Black of the Deluxe.
SUch pens probably outvalue (certainly out-rarity and out-cachet) typical Challengers and Deluxe Challengers, but not by much as value is dependent at least as much on demand as supply, and awareness of the pen- not to mention extra demand for it- is not widespread.
In the pic below are pens of this ilk but a year or two earlier- having ball clips not blade clips- though the points hold true for the pen under discussion now.
At left is Deluxe Challenger with triple capband, fat washer ring and chunked-pearl plastic.
Next is regular Challenger with single band, thin washer ring and more mottled plastic.
Then two (small) thrify/depression-y/whatever pens with the thin washer ring and mottled plastic of the Challenger, the triple bands of the Deluxe and mottled endpieces not seen on either of the other two pens. Note the lack of model name on the final pens.
regards
david
www.vacumania.com
The pen is one that collector convention tends- unfortunately- to lump in under the evil banner of Parker thrift-era pen, which comprises probably 5-6 different series that had little by parker intent to do with each other but share in common at least the lack- when made in USA- of a model name on the barrel, just "parker" etc. It is not really a THRIFT PEN, just a 1930-1938 or so Parker Pen unfortunate enough not to get its own name.
Indeed, this one is one of the last of 'em.
It is found in two sizes, though by far more commonly in this small size.
It is somewhat chimeric in terms of Challenger and Deluxe Challenger features.
The triple cap-band indeed evokes the Deluxe Challenger. The clip is a blade clip but with thin-washer retaining ring of the regular Challenger, not the fat ring of the Deluxe. THe pen has no model imprint, unlike Either Deluxe or regular Challenger. Sometimes (usually ones a tad earlier than this one-iirc) mottled matching endpieces are present. The barrel plastic tends to be the heavily mottled pattern of regular Challenger, not the pearl-chunks-on-Black of the Deluxe.
SUch pens probably outvalue (certainly out-rarity and out-cachet) typical Challengers and Deluxe Challengers, but not by much as value is dependent at least as much on demand as supply, and awareness of the pen- not to mention extra demand for it- is not widespread.
In the pic below are pens of this ilk but a year or two earlier- having ball clips not blade clips- though the points hold true for the pen under discussion now.
At left is Deluxe Challenger with triple capband, fat washer ring and chunked-pearl plastic.
Next is regular Challenger with single band, thin washer ring and more mottled plastic.
Then two (small) thrify/depression-y/whatever pens with the thin washer ring and mottled plastic of the Challenger, the triple bands of the Deluxe and mottled endpieces not seen on either of the other two pens. Note the lack of model name on the final pens.
regards
david
www.vacumania.com
Thanks for the information. I was quite confused in researching this pen because of the mixture of features you indicated, david i. Didn't seem to be one or the other but had a bit of everything. It's a good mixture even if it has no name, it's a great writer and very pretty (my picture doesn't do it justice). Thanks again!
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