I tried my first Parker 51 the day I bought my first vintage pen, about 8 months ago, but I didn't get too excited about it.
14 pens later, and having tried someone else's 51, I decided to dip a toe in the Parker pool.
The one I tried was a Binderized stub, but I thought it was worth keeping an eye out for a 51 of my own (and one day I might have a Binder spectacular of my own!)
The pens I use every day are 1980s Parkers (inconspicuous, so not likely to be pinched off my desk at work), and I have a gorgeous Duofold, so the 51 was not going to be totally my first foray . . .
And today I bought one!
However I'm a little confused. I've spent most of the afternoon trawling the net for info, a lot of time on FPN. Most of the info relates to US pens (mine is made in England), and I'm not sure how much of this is relevant to me.
It's black, with a brushed silver-like metal cap. The barrel would appear to be MkI, it has round end and vent hole is on the bottom, putting it (I think) before the late 50s.
BUT- the sac guard does not have a plastic end, it is all metal, which my research leads me to believe is MkII.
Or I thought it might be a Slender, but I read on web these were not made in UK.
The cap has the arrow style clip which Richard Binder's site describes as for a MkII, looking at his pictures. It says PARKER on side under the clip, above a very narrow shiny band, and on the back of the cap is Made in England, below an arow through an oval (halo?). It has a clear heading towards smoky jewel.
The nib is gold, and broad.
Have I got MkII innards masquerading in a MkI body? It all fits together beautifully, by the way.
Pictures are hopefully attached
Full Version: Finally joined in . . .
Congradulations!!! That reminds me I need to get my Gray Vac 51 over to my bud Danny Fudge for a quick check up on the breather tube. Not taking ink anymore! Enjoy that 51!!!
Welcome to the club Annie 
QUOTE(jd50ae @ Jul 7 2007, 05:03 PM) [snapback]327375[/snapback]
I love it! great gif as always.
QUOTE(anniemac @ Jul 7 2007, 09:06 PM) [snapback]327336[/snapback]
I tried my first Parker 51 the day I bought my first vintage pen, about 8 months ago, but I didn't get too excited about it.
14 pens later, and having tried someone else's 51, I decided to dip a toe in the Parker pool.
The one I tried was a Binderized stub, but I thought it was worth keeping an eye out for a 51 of my own (and one day I might have a Binder spectacular of my own!)
14 pens later, and having tried someone else's 51, I decided to dip a toe in the Parker pool.
The one I tried was a Binderized stub, but I thought it was worth keeping an eye out for a 51 of my own (and one day I might have a Binder spectacular of my own!)
Congratulations!
But I must correct one misconception - the second 51 you tried was mine, at the Lytham show, and that was not Binderized. That was one I found as is at a car boot sale for £5.
Just think how much more wonderful a Binderized one will be........
QUOTE(anniemac @ Jul 7 2007, 09:06 PM) [snapback]327336[/snapback]
I tried my first Parker 51 the day I bought my first vintage pen, about 8 months ago, but I didn't get too excited about it.
14 pens later, and having tried someone else's 51, I decided to dip a toe in the Parker pool.
The one I tried was a Binderized stub, but I thought it was worth keeping an eye out for a 51 of my own (and one day I might have a Binder spectacular of my own!)
The pens I use every day are 1980s Parkers (inconspicuous, so not likely to be pinched off my desk at work), and I have a gorgeous Duofold, so the 51 was not going to be totally my first foray . . .
And today I bought one!
However I'm a little confused. I've spent most of the afternoon trawling the net for info, a lot of time on FPN. Most of the info relates to US pens (mine is made in England), and I'm not sure how much of this is relevant to me.
It's black, with a brushed silver-like metal cap. The barrel would appear to be MkI, it has round end and vent hole is on the bottom, putting it (I think) before the late 50s.
BUT- the sac guard does not have a plastic end, it is all metal, which my research leads me to believe is MkII.
Or I thought it might be a Slender, but I read on web these were not made in UK.
The cap has the arrow style clip which Richard Binder's site describes as for a MkII, looking at his pictures. It says PARKER on side under the clip, above a very narrow shiny band, and on the back of the cap is Made in England, below an arow through an oval (halo?). It has a clear heading towards smoky jewel.
The nib is gold, and broad.
Have I got MkII innards masquerading in a MkI body? It all fits together beautifully, by the way.
Pictures are hopefully attached
14 pens later, and having tried someone else's 51, I decided to dip a toe in the Parker pool.
The one I tried was a Binderized stub, but I thought it was worth keeping an eye out for a 51 of my own (and one day I might have a Binder spectacular of my own!)
The pens I use every day are 1980s Parkers (inconspicuous, so not likely to be pinched off my desk at work), and I have a gorgeous Duofold, so the 51 was not going to be totally my first foray . . .
And today I bought one!
However I'm a little confused. I've spent most of the afternoon trawling the net for info, a lot of time on FPN. Most of the info relates to US pens (mine is made in England), and I'm not sure how much of this is relevant to me.
It's black, with a brushed silver-like metal cap. The barrel would appear to be MkI, it has round end and vent hole is on the bottom, putting it (I think) before the late 50s.
BUT- the sac guard does not have a plastic end, it is all metal, which my research leads me to believe is MkII.
Or I thought it might be a Slender, but I read on web these were not made in UK.
The cap has the arrow style clip which Richard Binder's site describes as for a MkII, looking at his pictures. It says PARKER on side under the clip, above a very narrow shiny band, and on the back of the cap is Made in England, below an arow through an oval (halo?). It has a clear heading towards smoky jewel.
The nib is gold, and broad.
Have I got MkII innards masquerading in a MkI body? It all fits together beautifully, by the way.
Pictures are hopefully attached
That is the correct pen from the Newhaven factory from about the early 60's on. I have one just like it from 1962, but my cap does not have the band at the bottom. I am not 100% sure, but it would seem that the changes were phased in over time. I believe that they made components in vast batch runs and black bodies would have been in massive batches I guess, so you can get parts that span over many years in one pen effectively.
Enjoy the pen, It Will Be Wonderful!
Jim
That's a right smart looking "51". Reminds me of a little black dress with a silver jacket. 
QUOTE(Margana @ Jul 10 2007, 10:52 AM) [snapback]329024[/snapback]
That's a right smart looking "51". Reminds me of a little black dress with a silver jacket.
That's a great description and totally sums it up! Thanks!
[/quote]
That is the correct pen from the Newhaven factory from about the early 60's on. I have one just like it from 1962, but my cap does not have the band at the bottom. I am not 100% sure, but it would seem that the changes were phased in over time. I believe that they made components in vast batch runs and black bodies would have been in massive batches I guess, so you can get parts that span over many years in one pen effectively.
Enjoy the pen, It Will Be Wonderful!
Jim
[/quote]
Thanks Jim - I was getting a bit confused because US pens seem to have a definite time structure, at least more than UK, and the UK ones were very hazy. I brandished it on a course today when I spotted someone with a Waterman Gentleman and it drew much admiration!
That is the correct pen from the Newhaven factory from about the early 60's on. I have one just like it from 1962, but my cap does not have the band at the bottom. I am not 100% sure, but it would seem that the changes were phased in over time. I believe that they made components in vast batch runs and black bodies would have been in massive batches I guess, so you can get parts that span over many years in one pen effectively.
Enjoy the pen, It Will Be Wonderful!
Jim
[/quote]
Thanks Jim - I was getting a bit confused because US pens seem to have a definite time structure, at least more than UK, and the UK ones were very hazy. I brandished it on a course today when I spotted someone with a Waterman Gentleman and it drew much admiration!
Annie,
Main thing is that it's a "51"
Enjoy.
Regards,
Ruaidhrí
Main thing is that it's a "51"
Enjoy.
Regards,
Ruaidhrí
Welcome to the Borg! Let us know when you feel ready to help spread the infection. 
I love the emoticon, artaddict! 
I love the emoticon, artaddict!
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