Please Help Identify This Parker

[Timeline]

Please help identify this Parker button filler, I searched many of the well known sites related to Parker Pens and was unable to id it. The barrel reads Geo. S. Parker - PARKER - MADE IN U.S.A., the nib reads PARKER PEN MADE IN USA, the three bands on the cap with the middle one wider than the other two is what is stumping me.

 

Thank you!!

[ngekomo]

Parker Duette ?

 

look at the ring-top model

[Timeline]

Maybe the ring-top was an option, looks like the Duette, mine has the steps.

[joss]

It is a Parker from the "thrift time" period and it is shown in this thread:

 

http://fountainpenboard.com/forum/index.php?/topic/2236-parkers-challenger-like-thrift-time-pens/

 

check especially reply #14 where the OP discusses the 'step-end pens with thin-fat-thin cap-rings'.

[Timeline]

Thanks for the info, I'm going to say it is a Duette Sr.with no date code.

[joss]

Thanks for the info, I'm going to say it is a Duette Sr.with no date code.

 

That would be confusing because this pen is not a Duette. A Parker Duette was marked as such on its barrel.

[Timeline]

It is a Parker from the "thrift time" period and it is shown in this thread:

 

http://fountainpenboard.com/forum/index.php?/topic/2236-parkers-challenger-like-thrift-time-pens/

Time

check especially reply #14 where the OP discusses the 'step-end pens with thin-fat-thin cap-rings'.

 

The pen I have is the first one on the left in post #12, I'm still unsure of what it is, perhaps a Challenger type Thrift Time?

[inkstainedruth]

My first guess would have been maybe a Parkette, although I thought those also got labeled as such. The celluloid sure looks like one I have, but I'd have to check on the cap bands and top.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

 

ETA: I went and checked some of the articles on www.parkerpens.net (my go-to source for all things Parker). The cap bands looks like those on a Duette, (if you scroll down the page there's a Depression era ringtop from 1934). Hey, I just took a better look at the photo with the imprint. It says something after "Parker" that I can't read because of glare in the photo. That might give you a starting point (it looks to me like it says "PARCO" but I can't tell for certain).

Edited November 6, 2019 by inkstainedruth

[joss]

 

The pen I have is the first one on the left in post #12, I'm still unsure of what it is, perhaps a Challenger type Thrift Time?

 

That picture actually started that thread (see post #1of this thread) and your pen is indeed the pen on the far left in that picture. David Isaacson discusses this particular pen (the 'step-end pen with thin-fat-thin cap-rings') in post #14. He describes the pen as a 'nameless Parker' which he found being shown in a 1933 Parkergram (Parker publication for Parker employees).

 

The experts in that thread classify your pen indeed as a "Challenger type thrift time" pen although the stepped ends may also suggest that it is a "Duette type thrift time pen". But calling it a "Duette Sr" might just be confusing for future reference, especially considering the title of this thread.

Edited November 6, 2019 by joss

[Timeline]

It says Made in U.S.A. after PARKER, no marking to indicate year or quarter of production. After cleaning it, replacing the pressure bar and sac, it is the smoothest nib I have ever experienced.

[Timeline]

 

That picture actually started that thread (see post #1of this thread) and your pen is indeed the pen on the far left in that picture. David Isaacson discusses this particular pen (the 'step-end pen with thin-fat-thin cap-rings') in post #14. He describes the pen as a 'nameless Parker' which he found being shown in a 1933 Parkergram (Parker publication for Parker employees).

 

The experts in that thread classify your pen indeed as a "Challenger type thrift time" pen although the stepped ends may also suggest that it is a "Duette type thrift time pen". But calling it a "Duette Sr" might just be confusing for future reference, especially considering the title of this thread.

 

Thank you, I will go with "Challenger type thrift time".

[joss]

It says Made in U.S.A. after PARKER, no marking to indicate year or quarter of production. After cleaning it, replacing the pressure bar and sac, it is the smoothest nib I have ever experienced.

 

Many of the 1930s Parker thrift time (eg cheap) pens were build with the same high quality standards of the high line Parker pens of that time. It is a good looking and uncommon pen, a nice find.

[Timeline]

 

Many of the 1930s Parker thrift time (eg cheap) pens were build with the same high quality standards of the high line Parker pens of that time. It is a good looking and uncommon pen, a nice find.

 

Thanks! I have had Challengers, Royal Challengers and Duofolds at one time or another, I agree, the quality of this pen is very good, the nib is the smoothest writer I have ever experienced.

[rbrummer]

I am inordinately fond of these pens - I initially was drawn to them by the Chiltonesque or Moderne thin/wide/thin cap bands. I'll just add a few observations to the referenced discussions and threads, and apologies if I missed them due to reading very quickly.

 

- definitely "Challengeresque" in terms of the size and the four color combinations (black, grey, green, red) that I've seen correspond. Also the fact that the end caps match the barrel seem particular (for Parker) to this era?

 

- I'd not thought about the Parkette connection, but the approximate date of 1934 does correspond when they were using that style of stepped end caps on both end of the regular Parkettes. But I think those were black vs the same color of the pen as we see here.

 

- from a nib standpoint three of the four I have don't have 14K hallmarks but instead the Parker imprint with the numeric (27 or 44) that I'd see on Parkettes

 

So Challengeresque with some quite late-model Parkette like features, with the fancy bands thrown in as a bonus.

[Timeline]

Thank you for your additional thoughts and observations. I just happened to see this pen for sale on Main Street Pens in The Mall forum today under the "after Ohio" update. They actually have two different colors.

[mitto]

Whatever model it is, it sure is a beautiful pen. Enjoy using it.