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Parker Duofold Esparto Specimen Is Real

Dutchpen

By Dutchpen
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Dutchpen Vintage

Dutchpen

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I got 2 parker esparto silver pens recently in the metal specimen edition.

Both pens are bot metal but solid sterling silver.

 

 

I took the pens apart and both pens are made of solid sterling silver.

I removed the engraving and now I have 2 real parker duofold pens made from 925 sterling silver.

The only thing is that they are not hallmarked so.

 

I took the pens apart. The nib is marked 18ct and 750. I dit a chemical gold test and the gold content is 750%.

The pw stamp is also present at the base of the nib (nib needs to be removed from the section to see this).

 

I also tested the silver. The cap and barrel are both made from solid sterling silver (92,5%).

 

It was a little risk but ended up well.

 

here are some pics.

I do not have the pics from the gold testing but i do have them from the silver test.

The drop of fluid is yellow and becomes red when it is silver.

enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by Dutchpen

Nib (re)plating: please visit www.Dutchpen.com

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mitto Museum Piece

mitto

Posted
Posted

Why would you remove the engraving and wherefrom ? Beautiful pens though. I have a Sonnet silver lustre pen with solid 18 kt rhodium plated gold nib. Would do the test for my pen too. Enjoy your pens.

Khan M. Ilyas

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Dutchpen Vintage

Dutchpen

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The pens had the text METAL SPECIMEN' engraved on the cap and the barrel.

I removed these engravings.

 

Every silver pen can be tested with this liquid. If it turns red it is silver. If it stays yellow it is not.

These duofolds are solid silver but were marked metal specimen, probably to prevent stealing in the shops as they were display models.

Nib (re)plating: please visit www.Dutchpen.com

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Dr.Grace Collectors Item

Dr.Grace

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I'm puzzled about why it would have been a good idea to remove the engravings. Wouldn't it have been better from historical and collector's standpoints to keep the pens as they were made?

These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives everything its value.--Thomas Paine, "The American Crisis", 1776

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Matlock Collectors Item

Matlock

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Posted (edited)

The pens had the text METAL SPECIMEN' engraved on the cap and the barrel.

I removed these engravings.

 

Every silver pen can be tested with this liquid. If it turns red it is silver. If it stays yellow it is not.

These duofolds are solid silver but were marked metal specimen, probably to prevent stealing in the shops as they were display models.

 

It seems a shame to have removed the engraving. Are you sure that they are not silver plated? Would the tests show this if you have not filed the surface away down to the base metal?

Edited by Matlock

Peter

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Dutchpen Vintage

Dutchpen

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It shows the same result after removing the engraving so it is solid silver. Silver plating does not react like this (tested on waterman gentleman silver etc. these are plated, not solid).

 

I don't think it is a shame to remove the engravings.

One of the pens was used and damaged when i got it (broken of top,missing clip and decal). The other one was new but with a small misaligned top.

These pens are user pens for me. I have a lot of pens which don't get inked as long as they are mine and I want to use these

 

I had a lot of pens which show the text SAMPLE. they were almost impossible to sell due to the engraving.

I think that the value is low for these pens with the specimen or sample text on them. Because everyone thinks they are not original pens.

 

Some people grind down a nib which is marked with a size (even Le pens) to use them. I don't want a text engraved on the pens I use.

Nib (re)plating: please visit www.Dutchpen.com

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Matlock Collectors Item

Matlock

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It shows the same result after removing the engraving so it is solid silver. Silver plating does not react like this (tested on waterman gentleman silver etc. these are plated, not solid).

 

I don't think it is a shame to remove the engravings.

One of the pens was used and damaged when i got it (broken of top,missing clip and decal). The other one was new but with a small misaligned top.

These pens are user pens for me. I have a lot of pens which don't get inked as long as they are mine and I want to use these

 

I had a lot of pens which show the text SAMPLE. they were almost impossible to sell due to the engraving.

I think that the value is low for these pens with the specimen or sample text on them. Because everyone thinks they are not original pens.

 

Some people grind down a nib which is marked with a size (even Le pens) to use them. I don't want a text engraved on the pens I use.

Fine. It's just that these Metal Sample pens do command quite a high price, but if they were not perfect, I can see your point. Just one thing, these test kits will show siver plated items as silver unless the serface plating has been filed down to base metal. It might be advisable to do a test on anothe part of the pen. Whatever the outcome you have got two great pens.

Peter

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Dutchpen Vintage

Dutchpen

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Hi,

 

The tests were performed before filing down and after. I also performed the tests on several places on the barrel and caps. Even on the inside of the caps too.

The threads on the barrel (which is a separate part from the barrel) is metal and did not react on the test.

 

It's a great pen for everyday use.

Nib (re)plating: please visit www.Dutchpen.com

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