Older Style Parker Mechanical Pencil

[jbb]

I can't figure out how to load lead into this older looking Parker mechanical pencil. There is a little metal thing where lead should both load and come out at the tip that doesn't retract when I turn it. Does anyone know this works? Also wondering, would it have had a clip originally? How old is it? What style? Thanks.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4107/4982013603_121de3a90c_b.jpg

[icardoth]

Have a look here.

[jbb]

The metal tip won't retract so that you can add lead. Any ideas about how to fix this?

[nxn96]

Judging from the barrel and the tip, I would guess it to be an older (1930's?) series pencil. Possibly a Vacumatic, but more likely not. The barrel and cap makes me think otherwise. There was probably a cap end and clip that have become separated from this pencil.

 

In terms of the mechanics, it definitely seems like a rotary (i.e., you twist to move the lead) rather than a clutch (i.e., you push down the cap to move the lead). Sometimes with the rotaries there can be a little cap "shrinkage" wherein the cap doesn't grip as well as it should to the inner metal sleeve, so there's no friction to move the mechanism. Therefore, my first thought is to take of the cap and give the mechanism a turn (not too hard now!!) and see if that does the trick for you. If that works, you've at least solved one of your issues. If not, well, at least we've eliminated one possible cause.

[jbb]

Judging from the barrel and the tip, I would guess it to be an older (1930's?) series pencil. Possibly a Vacumatic, but more likely not. The barrel and cap makes me think otherwise. There was probably a cap end and clip that have become separated from this pencil.

 

In terms of the mechanics, it definitely seems like a rotary (i.e., you twist to move the lead) rather than a clutch (i.e., you push down the cap to move the lead). Sometimes with the rotaries there can be a little cap "shrinkage" wherein the cap doesn't grip as well as it should to the inner metal sleeve, so there's no friction to move the mechanism. Therefore, my first thought is to take of the cap and give the mechanism a turn (not too hard now!!) and see if that does the trick for you. If that works, you've at least solved one of your issues. If not, well, at least we've eliminated one possible cause.

The cap (end where the clip should have been) doesn't connect with any internal mechanism. Inside the nozzle/point end there is some sort of lead holding barrel but it's hard to reach or tell how it's functioning. The metallic nozzle end turns in both directions but the little metalic piece inside it that pushes up the lead never retracts. I've tried to turn the internal lead holding barrel with tweezers but that doesn't seem to do anything. If I'm misunderstanding your advice can you clarify it more? Is there anything else to try? Can the metalic nozzle piece be removed? How?

[jbb]

OMG!!!!!!! I think I just fixed it!!!!!! I took a hat pin and pressed really hard from the front of the pencil on the metal piece that pushes up the lead (something which I'd tried earlier with no success) this time it engaged with the mechanism and retracted. I just loaded some 1.1 mm lead and the pencil seems to be working.

:roflmho: :roflmho: :roflmho:

 

Thank you all for your patience and advice!

[nxn96]

Judging from the barrel and the tip, I would guess it to be an older (1930's?) series pencil. Possibly a Vacumatic, but more likely not. The barrel and cap makes me think otherwise. There was probably a cap end and clip that have become separated from this pencil.

 

In terms of the mechanics, it definitely seems like a rotary (i.e., you twist to move the lead) rather than a clutch (i.e., you push down the cap to move the lead). Sometimes with the rotaries there can be a little cap "shrinkage" wherein the cap doesn't grip as well as it should to the inner metal sleeve, so there's no friction to move the mechanism. Therefore, my first thought is to take of the cap and give the mechanism a turn (not too hard now!!) and see if that does the trick for you. If that works, you've at least solved one of your issues. If not, well, at least we've eliminated one possible cause.

The cap (end where the clip should have been) doesn't connect with any internal mechanism. Inside the nozzle/point end there is some sort of lead holding barrel but it's hard to reach or tell how it's functioning. The metallic nozzle end turns in both directions but the little metalic piece inside it that pushes up the lead never retracts. I've tried to turn the internal lead holding barrel with tweezers but that doesn't seem to do anything. If I'm misunderstanding your advice can you clarify it more? Is there anything else to try? Can the metalic nozzle piece be removed? How?

Since it sounds as if you fixed your problem (your later post), this is probably information you don't need to know:

 

What I was originally thinking of was whether the pencil cap was fitting tight enough around the inner metal cap (usually chrome) such that it would "turn" the inner mechanism. Hope my suggestion didn't get you digging a set of tweezers into the internal mechanism, since that is beyond my knowledge base!!

 

Still, all's well that ends well. Now you need to source the actual pencil it is and find the proper clip that goes with it.

[Buzz J]

Looks like it's a Depression era "Premier" pencil. It would have had a ring clip similar to a Duofold but without the patent date on top.

[jbb]

Looks like it's a Depression era "Premier" pencil. It would have had a ring clip similar to a Duofold but without the patent date on top.

Thanks!