Parker Help needed

[John]

I just acquired a Parker 51 Aero (I think). It has "Parker 51" on the filler unit but it has a black cap jewel and what looks like an Octanium nib. Is the black jewel a sure sign that this is a "Special" and is there any other difference between a regular 51 and a special apart from the nib?

 

TIA :blink:

[Maja]

Hi John,

 

I went to one of the best Parker sites online (the best, I think...) http://parkerpens.net/ and according to them, the Parker 51 Special (which came out in 1950) had these features:

 

--an aerometric filling system with a U-shaped pressure bar with an imprint that said: "xxx press 5 times*"

-an octanium (8-metal alloy) nib, rather than a gold one

--a shiny chrome cap only (vs. the matte chrome ones on the Standard--regular-- Parker 51s).

--a cap jewel or clip screw made in black (the Standard 51s ones were pearl-coloured plastic)

--barrels that came in four colours: black, grey, burgundy and blue...

 

It's an excellent site

[John]

Thanks maja!

 

I have a Special. No doubt about it. Shiny cap, black jewel, silver coloured nib.