I am sure most of you know that the nineties pearl and black Duofold finish has been reissued. So that's two versions right there. Some easily distinguishable features are differentiating the new from the original old of the nineties are:

1. Longer black barrel end cap on the older version.
2. Two equal thickness bands on the cap for the latest issue versus one thick and one thin band on the original one.
3. A more tapered black end cap for the cap on the newer issue
4. When you post the cap, the older version still shows some of the barrel's black end cap.
5. Arrow on old nib and some type of a heart shape on the new.

But has there been an update to the original before Parker discontinued the pear and black finish and then reissued it last year? I am doing some searching, and it seems like around 2001(???), Parker switched the entire Duofold line to the newer look, with two equal thickness bands on the cap, a tapered end cap on the cap, and a shorter black barrel end cap that doesn't stick out anymore when you post the cap. Can any Duofold expert confirm this? If this is true, then there must be two designs with the older pearl and black material. So if we cal the 90s body design A and the updated design B, would it be fair to say that there are these three versions of the Duofold black and Pearl?

1. Design A, original pearl and black material, with arrow nib (nineties?)
2. Design B, original pearl and black material, with arrow nib (2000-2001 on?)
3. Design B, reissues pearl and black material, with heart nib (2007?)

Any clarifications are greatly appreciated.

I have only noted 3 versions which were named by someone else as Series 1 2 and 3.
1 was the very first Flat top versions with a short clip.
2, also a Flat top with a longer clip
3, the Streamline newest ones.
I am looking for a flat top black pearl to match my streamline, but may not if there are 3 versions of it ;-)
Maybe the change in the nib came about after the change in design as Parker finished old nib stock?
Not well enough versed in this........

Oh yeah, this is not counting the difference between the Centennial and International models.
But now there is the new Demi as well, don't think it classifies as "Mark 4" tho'.

Hm. I am trying to remember the items in the Duofold book that I have stashed in a locker.

There were two releases in the 90's.. about 92? and then 96? with variations in the shape of the cone at the base, number of rings on the cap, as well as a difference in dome - the 92? has a flat top whereas the 96? version has a slightly rounded top, with different 'decal'. And then as someone pointed out already, there were the Centennial and International sizes too.

Couple that with the most recent release of cap top, and nib shape AND pattern there is another one right there. However, I have yet to get around to comparing the image of the 96 and the most recent version.

I don't think that there was a change in the acrylic cast pattern though... at least according to what I recall from the 07 Catalog and the 92? and 96? resin cast, cut, roll, fill, shave, polish appearance. (from the Duofold book. It has been a little while since a 92? and 96? came past me).

Demi? One that has appeared on the cover of Vanity Fair? Ooo.. who painted it?
Hmmm. I better check parkerpens.com to get some info..

Shepherd Duofold p290.
Early, Short flat clip
Later Long and thicker clip.
All normal editions had a wide and narrow cap band.
LE's and specials had bands as decided by whoever.........
These were flat tops.
The Streamlines - ordinary pens have two rings.
But what I did find and it shows you how unobservant I am......
The First Streamlines have a nib that is similar to the Flat tops but with more white metal and a tiny arrowhead at the nib.
Then......................then - aha the nib changed again to be the one with the sort of curly arrowhead.

So with the black and pearls;-
The first two are pictured in the book. Side by side - p317.
And I have the third in my cabinet - bought recently on the re-issue.
3 types!

QED

Darn - now I have to find TWO pens to compliment mine (or do I just get a new old stock nib ;-)))

Many thanks to all!