Parker 75 Nib Question

[wspohn]

I have an early flat tassie sterling 75 for which I am trying to identify the nib.

 

Now there is a limited amount of information on the numbering system for Parker nibs, but mine just doesn't seem to appear anywhere. I doubt it is anything special, looks like a regular fine or maybe medium.

 

The nib number is "66".

 

Does anyone possess a complete listing of nibs used on these pens?

 

Also, when the adjustable nib hasn't been moved in many years, I expect it is best to just let sleeping dogs ...er nibs. lie and not attempt to rotate them?

[maia]

You can rotate the nib without any problem. Mine has been unmoved for over 20 years (I suppose) and it rotates flawlessly.

Where is your nib from? USA? France? Also, is it 14K (585) or 18K?

 

EDIT: the 66 is a 14K USA Medium nib.

 

Check Parker 75's Reference for all the information you might need.

Edited July 10, 2006 by maia

[BillTheEditor]

Nib style list at John Mottishaw's site.

 

He seems to indicate that there was not a "66" nib, but it looks like it would be a US made medium with a thin stem. Maybe he means that he has none of the "66" style for sale -- the note is kind of ambiguous that way.

 

Does yours have a thin stem or a thick feed? See the next paragraph.

 

Parker 75 nibs come in two types: thin stem (the earlier production, with the adjustable nib angle) and thick feed (later production, nib does not adjust because it does not need to). The early nib angle adjusted because of the triangular grip area. The later pens had a round grip with a sort of textured pattern on it. You can fit a thin stem nib into a thick feed shell, but not vice-versa (IIUC). As a result, if you have a round grip on your pen you need to take the feed out in order to know for sure. The later thick feed section can also be identified by the gold colored band around the nib end.

 

Hope this helps.

Edited July 11, 2006 by BillTheEditor

[Richard]

I have a complete listing of Parker 75 nibs (clickable link) on my site. It says that a 66 is a US-made medium with a thin "spike" feed like this:

 

http://www.richardspens.com/images/ref_info/75_nibs/75_nib_spike.jpg

 

Lots more info on my page, all of it verified against original Parker documentation in my possession. Take a peek.

[wspohn]

Thanks very much, guys - it is indeed a medium according to Richard's chart, although it writes like a modern Fine. In fact it is a delight to write with, but the sac doesn't have enough tension to fill well, so I guess I'll be looking to rectify that.

 

Does one replace only the sac, or can one replace the whole filler mechanism in a 75?

[Richard]

Thanks very much, guys - it is indeed a medium according to Richard's chart, although it writes like a modern Fine.

As I wrote in my most recent Stylus column, nib sizes have been super-sized. A vintage medium is quite frequently equivalent to a modern fine.

 

Does one replace only the sac, or can one replace the whole filler mechanism in a 75?

The 75 is a cartridge/converter pen. It accepts standard Parker cartridges or either of the Parker converters that are currently available.

 

http://www.richardspens.com/images/collection/zoomed/75_cisele.jpg

[kissing]

hehe, if they take the modern Parker converters, that's really really convenient

 

Have fun!

[maia]

hehe, if they take the modern Parker converters, that's really really convenient

 

Have fun!

Yeah, it can take both the ol' skool Aerometric and the newer Slide and Piston Filler.

[framebaer]

Hi,

If you want to change ink colors frequently get the piston slide type converter it makes flushing the section must faster. The aeromatic styles are good also. the twists are fine but slower on the cleaning!! :

[wspohn]

Well it was a clogged feed after all, so no need to replace the converter. Took 2 days in water and several 'blow-throughs', filling and blowing throught the section to clear the old coagulated ink, but it now writes like a champ.

 

Filled it up with PR Burgundy Mist and was just doing a wine menu with it.

 

I shall not tempt fate by trying to remove the nib right now - I'll leave that for later when I have a chance to do an ultrasonic cleaning on it to get any remaining gunk out. I may try an extra fine nib on it just for fun.

 

I really like the old silver 75s - nice feel and heft without being too heavy.

[Raymond]

HI wspohn:

 

I am glad that you got the P75 going. Yes I like the P75 too and there are several very nice things about it, which I think is not immediately obvious. The cap and the clutch spring is very nice. I have been using mine for over 30 years and the cap still clicks on tight as the first day. The nib is amazing. Somehow I think it does not wear easily even with writing a lot. The cisele finish too. It appears to have the ability to maintain a nice look year after year. One thing I heard from Lih-Tah Wong of Parker75.com is that all the parts of the Parker 75 and Parker Premier (the luxury version of 75) are interchangeable. So if you have a collection of 75s or Premiers, you could interchange barrels, sections and nibs to make up your own versions. Sounds like fun.

 

Anyway, I thought I would share these.

[Raymond]

Hi framebaer:

 

I would get one of those nose suction thing for babies and use that to clean the P75, or other CC pens. It is much faster and more thorough.