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Parker 51 Desk Pen


corgicoupe

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I acquired a Parker 51 desk pen with the shortened tail dated 4th quarter 1948. As I was refilling it today I noticed that the sac was an orange color. I've oly used blue ink in the pen, and am wondering if something is going bad with the sac.

Baptiste knew how to make a short job long

For love of it. And yet not waste time either.

Robert Frost

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how are you to know what inks were used in the pen? A couple of the sacs in my 51s are a bit reddish.

"Don't hurry, don't worry. It's better to be late at the Golden Gate than to arrive in Hell on time."
--Sign in a bar and grill, Ormond Beach, Florida, 1960.

 

 

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True, I can't know the ancient history. But orange? It really looks like an orange plastic.

Edited by corgicoupe

Baptiste knew how to make a short job long

For love of it. And yet not waste time either.

Robert Frost

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I’ve seen the same thing In oranges and reds. There seems to be a bit of red in a lot of ink colors. Maybe it’s the red component that does the staining? Just a thought....

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If you feel the sac is disintegrating, feel it and squeeze3 it, and then see what you think. If you are really thinking the sack is on the way out, I would buy a pli-glas sac or two. These pens are not difficult to resac. The sac guard either unscrews or is friction fit or secured with shellac.

"Don't hurry, don't worry. It's better to be late at the Golden Gate than to arrive in Hell on time."
--Sign in a bar and grill, Ormond Beach, Florida, 1960.

 

 

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Does this look like a sac stained from ink?

 

fpn_1526334474__parker_ink_sac.jpg

 

How does one best discover how to remove the sac guard?

Baptiste knew how to make a short job long

For love of it. And yet not waste time either.

Robert Frost

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This one says:

To Fill

Press Ribbed Bar

Firmly 6 Times

Use Dry-Writing

Superchrome Ink

 

My 1950 dated Parker 51 says:

... 4 Times...

 

It also appears to have a stainless steel sac guard whereas the desk pen has an aluminum sac guard.

Baptiste knew how to make a short job long

For love of it. And yet not waste time either.

Robert Frost

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I just removed a sac guard that was very stubborn. Finally got an idea and put on a pair of latex gloves for a much better grip. It came right off.

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Press fit or screwed on? Does aluminum or steel give a hint as to which?

 

When will you use a gaff-rigged schooner as your avatar? My great great grandfather was captain of one that went down off Barnegat Light in 1857.

Baptiste knew how to make a short job long

For love of it. And yet not waste time either.

Robert Frost

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Press fit or screwed on? Does aluminum or steel give a hint as to which?

 

When will you use a gaff-rigged schooner as your avatar? My great great grandfather was captain of one that went down off Barnegat Light in 1857.

I only use avatars of ships that Ive had an association with. Seems more real to me.

 

As far as friction fit vs screw on, I would go with Davids guidance. Press 6 times, unscrew to the left.(with the dumb end toward you)

First I would suggest removing the hood, collector, nib and feed. Then without worry of damaging them, you can strap on your latex or nitrile gloves and remove the sac protector.

4 times press fit, but just to be safe start with a good grip and turn to the left. Once it starts moving try a little pressure and see if it will pull off. If not keep turning.

If your sac doesnt leak, or is not sticky or gummy when you squeeze it, then there is no immediate need to replace it.

Good to see you again.

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Press fit or screwed on? Does aluminum or steel give a hint as to which?

 

When will you use a gaff-rigged schooner as your avatar? My great great grandfather was captain of one that went down off Barnegat Light in 1857.

 

Any sac guard with press 6 times inscription would be threaded and, hence, screwed to the connector regardless as to whether it is aluminium or chrome plated over brass.

Khan M. Ilyas

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Does this look like a sac stained from ink?

 

fpn_1526334474__parker_ink_sac.jpg

 

How does one best discover how to remove the sac guard?

I think that sac looks ink stained.

 

The ones I have from pens as old as "8" with three dots are still supple and working. I have considered some resaccing of these pens, but I wondered if the replacement sac might be inferior to the original even in its current state. I decided to leave well enough alone and not resac these pens. I keep remembering the old saw "if it ain't broke don't fix it" or you might open Pandora's box. Of course, you can preemptively resac the pen if you wish. I am content to let someone else find out. My very small collection of 51s has largely become a static display, though.

"Don't hurry, don't worry. It's better to be late at the Golden Gate than to arrive in Hell on time."
--Sign in a bar and grill, Ormond Beach, Florida, 1960.

 

 

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I will leave this one alone for the present. My 1950 pen has not been restored nor has my dad's 1946 Vacumatic, The 1946T Vacumatic was restored because I bought it in a pawn shop. They all get used, including the desk pen, whose sac does not feel gummy.

Baptiste knew how to make a short job long

For love of it. And yet not waste time either.

Robert Frost

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Red ink does stain.

And in my cleaning experience, RED ink has been the hardest ink to clean out, followed by purple.

I have a pen that I have soaked for 6 months, and red ink is still coming out. Short of a complete disassembly, and physical cleaning, I do not think that I will ever get all the red ink out of that pen.

I don't know what it is about red that makes it not want to let go of the pen.

San Francisco Pen Show - August 28-30, 2020 - Redwood City, California

www.SFPenShow.com

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This red/orange color seems to permeate to the outer surface of the sac rather than having stained the inner surface of the sac.

Baptiste knew how to make a short job long

For love of it. And yet not waste time either.

Robert Frost

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Well, it's not magnetic, and the black engraving is still perfect.

Baptiste knew how to make a short job long

For love of it. And yet not waste time either.

Robert Frost

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The sack and sack guard appear to be fine. It s highly possible that superchrome ink was used in this pen. It is rather nasty ink, and will change many materials it comes in contact with. Consider yourself lucky if all it did was stain the sack orange. It sometimes eats filler tubes, even silver ones.

Edited by Parker51
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If so, they were just following directions.

Baptiste knew how to make a short job long

For love of it. And yet not waste time either.

Robert Frost

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