Parker Duo-Tone C. 1938 Photo Thread

[PenHero]

Hi, Folks!

In 1938, Parker, not usually known for lever-fill pens, had two such models occupying the very bottom of their lineup, the Parkette and this pen, the Duo-Tone. The Duo-Tone was made only in 1938 and was the first Parker pen with a metal cap and plastic barrel. It sold for $1.75 and the matching pencil was $1.25 with a choice of either a brushed gold or silver color cap on a Jet (black) barrel. The pen featured a "Visometer" windowed section and the same clip design as the Parkette. It was not successful and was gone by the 1939 catalog.

http://penhero.com/Temp/ParkerDuoToneGold_1280_01.jpg

Does anyone have the silver cap model?

Thanks!

[hari317]

very nice! do you have more pictures showing other parts of the pen, it will be very informative. Thanks!

[mitto]

Yes, we would like to see the "Visometer" windowed section and the nib.

[PenHero]

I'll post some more photos of the pen next week. It presently has an incorrect WASP nib, so I plan on swapping it with a donor nib from a Parkette.

[Tweel]

Please don't forget to show us the lever, and mention any particulars about its implementation! I don't think I've ever seen a Parker lever.

[PenHero]

Please don't forget to show us the lever, and mention any particulars about its implementation! I don't think I've ever seen a Parker lever.

 

Will do! Probably Tuesday / Wednesday - after the US holiday.

[PaulS]

Hope Jim will forgive me jumping in with a little information.

 

quote ........................ "I don't think I've ever seen a Parker lever." Judging by my three example I don't think you've missed much - two of these are Canadian - one is States - so if mine are anything to go by, then their origin doesn't appear to make much difference to the shape of the lever, as these three appear to be identical. Of course three is a tad small for an accurately representative sample, and there may have been some that were exotic, and doubtless many that look in better condition. Whilst these levers appear identical, the clips are all different.

 

Picture attached of a Parkette De Luxe - Parkette Zephyr (States) - and Parkette. Plating has obviously seen far better days, and apologies that picture is a tad poor.

Edited November 22, 2017 by PaulS

[Tweel]

Thanks! I see by the spread in the lever slot that they used a standard C-ring to mount the lever. I wonder why they went to the trouble of tooling up to produce lever-fillers, then used it for only a couple of models.

[mitto]

In the early years of my pen collection, I missed chances of acquiring some beautiful pens that I thought I didn't like including the Parkettes, Dwette, Premier and Moderne. Now I don't see them offered for sale. I wish I had collected some.

 

Thank you, Paul for the picture.

[PenHero]

Hi, Folks!

This is a Parker Duo-Tone Silver lever fill fountain pen c. 1938. The 5 inch long Duo-Tone was made only in 1938 and was the first Parker pen with a metal cap and plastic barrel. It sold for $1.75 and the matching pencil was $1.25 with a choice of either a brushed gold or silver color cap on a Jet (black) barrel. The pen featured a "Visometer" windowed section and the same clip design as the Parkette. It was not successful and was gone by the 1939 catalog. The 1938 catalog does not say anything about the nib composition nor grades offered, but the image appears to show the pen with a Parkette nib. This Duo-Tone has what appears to be a stainless steel nib that is stamped DUO TONE over MADE IN U.S.A. over 18 (the Parker date code for 1938). This example is heavily pitted and it's not clear if the nib was gold plated.

http://www.penhero.com/Temp/ParkerDuoToneSilver_1280_01a.jpg

http://www.penhero.com/Temp/ParkerDuoToneSilver_1280_02.jpg

Thanks!

[BenJoeM]

Reviving an old topic thread with a recent acquisition.  In purchasing a pen lot in an attempt to get some new/old stock Parker Quink Ink from the 40s, I found a Duo-Tone with a silver cap.  It had a lot of teeth marks in it but after some work it is restored and working great.

 

This one has a date code of 9. which I guess would date this Q3 of 1939 so this was probably the last or near the last batch to be produced since this disappeared from the catalog in 1940 according to ParkerPens.net. 

 

The Nib Code is 28, I am unsure what the 28 means.  

 

My limited research says these are rarer pens to find, but so far it is writing well.  It is a Firm Fine in my opinion but back in working order.