Parker 61 Hole In The Barrel ?

[jskywalker]

I recently acquired a very good condition 2 Jewels 12K Gold Filled Capillary Filler Gold Cap and Barrel Parker 61.

 

It's my first Parker 61.

 

As I was flashing the barrel, I realised that there's a small hole and water actually flow out of it.

 

Does Parker 61 has a small hole about 3/4 to the top of the barrel ?

 

The hole is too perfect to looks like a damage.

 

What's the hole for ?

Edited March 17, 2018 by jskywalker

[shamwari]

That doesn't seem right to me. None of my 3 capillary 61s have a vent hole. I'm wondering if the barrel comes from a cartridge converter 61(I don't have a cartridge converter 61 so don't know if the barrels are interchangeable)? That might have a vent hole to prevent pressure differentials between the inside of the barrel and the air outside acting on the sac*.

 

I'm guessing the capillary 61 has no need of a pressure equalising vent hole as the capillary unit has a rigid casing. The capillary 61 barrel actually has a spring loaded seal that closes off the filler holes at the end of the capillary unit - if your barrel has this seal you should fell and hear it pressing against the capillary unit as the barrel is tightened. Without the seal creating a vacuum the capillary unit can't retain ink and a 61will drip its ink out if held nib downwards without its barrel in place.

 

*edited to add - based on my understanding that the aero-metric "51" has a vent hole at either the back end or the side of the barrel which allows for equalization of air pressure between the pen's interior and the outside environment.

Edited March 17, 2018 by shamwari

[welch]

I just checked a P-61 C/c. No hole in the barrel.

 

As best I remember, the barrels are not compatible between capillary and c/c.

[jskywalker]

Yes, I just checked. I heard the spring sound when tightening the barrel.

 

I'm still puzzled with the vent hole in the gold barrel.

[shamwari]

Well, so much my speculation about the c/c model.

 

Strange about your barrel, jskywalker, I can't see any sign of a hole in any of my 3, one of which is a Custom Insignia with a rolled gold barrel, and blowing into the barrel does not give any indication of there being any outlet in the barrel. Shouldn't be an issue though, as long as you have the seal at the end to create a vacuum in the capillary unit.

[Mr.Rene]

A small Hole in a barrel avoid air pressure...If I am not wrong...

[jskywalker]

This is what it looked like.

 

You notice that the hole is actually quite low, probably because of the spring on top.

[bsenn]

5 out of 8 capillary fill pens I just checked have the same hole, all in the same position. That 5 included an insignia and a flighter.

 

Brian

[jskywalker]

I tried to Google but couldn't find any literature on this. Any expert views ? Eg dating etc ?

[shamwari]

That's interesting Brian. All my 3 61s (no holes) are made in England and are all the version with the slightly thicker trim rim between section and barrel which came in in 1962 (what are referred to as the Mk II version in the profile on The RichardsPens site). Other than that I haven't been able to narrow down a date for them.

[shamwari]

Thinking about this further (as I was giving the dog her morning walk in light snow) what sort of pressure differential would build up in the barrel compared to the inside of the capillary filler which I assume will be more or less equal to the ambient air pressure via the feed system? Was the concern that heat from the writer's hand would build up enough pressure to make its way past the sping seal at the end of the barrel and into the capillary unit?

 

Are there any surf green (withdrawn in 1959) 61s with a barrel vent?

[nigelg]

Just checked my pens.

None of my 5 English 61's - flighters or plastic barrels, aerometric or capillary and all with the thicker trim ring- have this hole.

My only USA made turquoise plastic barrel capillary with the thin trim ring does have this hole.

Does this muddy or clear the water ?

[jskywalker]

My 61 is also a US model.

 

Does this mean that all early US 61 are with the vent holes whereas the UK 61 are all without the vent holes ?

[shamwari]

Does your pen have a very thin ring between the section and barrel or the slightly thicker ring (slightly concave in cross section) that came in in 1962?

[FarmBoy]

Every 61 barrel has a hole or has one waiting to appear. I have the drill bit if your barrel has hole envy.

[jskywalker]

I'm not sure about thick or thin.

 

Please see attached pics. Thanks.

[shamwari]

Thanks for the pics. That is what I understand to be the thicker ring that came in in 1962 so your pen would be a 1962 to 1969 model.

 

So far it looks like the American made 61s have the vent holes (Nigel's pre 1962 thin ring made in USA turquoise has one) whilst the English ones don't. Has anyone got a US made capillary 61 without a vent hole or an English made capillary 61 with a vent hole?

 

Were the 61s made anywhere else?

[bsenn]

I have US made with and without the hole, plenty of each. I have an English signet with a hole.

 

I'd like to see the revision block on that drawing...

 

Brian

[mitto]

Oh! I would have to check my 61s for the hole.

[shamwari]

So it looks like pot luck as to whether you have a barrel with a hole in it or not?