Dating A Parker Arrow

[fronsac]

Greeting parker pen lover, i need some clarification. i just got hold of a Parker Arrow in Black matte and Gold trim. im pretty sure it's a Parker Arrow and not it's successor, the Parker 95. The difference is in the cap.

 

My confusion arises from digging into it's history. if my research is right the Matte Black Parker Arrow was introduced in 1985 and was discontinued in 1987 after which it was replaced by the very similar Parker 95.

 

Here is when it gets confusing. The Date code stamped on the barrel is U which either dates the pen in 1991 or 2001.

 

Can anyone clarify the confusion?

 

Much Appreciated

 

Mario

 

http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j468/SuperDocMario/parkerarrow1-2.jpg

 

N.B. not my photo but this is exactly how the pen looks

Edited March 3, 2012 by fronsac

[icardoth]

I have two Arrows and both have the date code in the cap, not in the barrel. Both are from 2nd quarter 1986 (YC).

[jaqcp]

Greeting parker pen lover, i need some clarification. i just got hold of a Parker Arrow in Black matte and Gold trim. im pretty sure it's a Parker Arrow and not it's successor, thI have taht exe Parker 95. The difference is in the cap.

 

My confusion arises from digging into it's history. if my research is right the Matte Black Parker Arrow was introduced in 1985 and was discontinued in 1987 after which it was replaced by the very similar Parker 95.

 

Here is when it gets confusing. The Date code stamped on the barrel is U which either dates the pen in 1991 or 2001.

 

Can anyone clarify the confusion?

 

Much Appreciated

 

Mario

 

http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j468/SuperDocMario/parkerarrow1-2.jpg

 

N.B. not my photo but this is exactly how the pen looks

 

 

I have the same black matte/gold trim Arrow. It is stamped on the cap (not barrel) IC, making it 1985 vintage. It was made in England. Where was yours made? I do not have a 95 or have ever examined one so I do not know how close they look, but you may have to rethink which pen you actually have.

 

 

 

[fronsac]

I have two Arrows and both have the date code in the cap, not in the barrel. Both are from 2nd quarter 1986 (YC).

 

I have the same black matte/gold trim Arrow. It is stamped on the cap (not barrel) IC, making it 1985 vintage. It was made in England. Where was yours made? I do not have a 95 or have ever examined one so I do not know how close they look, but you may have to rethink which pen you actually have.

 

Thank you for your replies, icardoth and jaqcp. I stand corrected, the Date code is stamped on the cap (not the barrel as i posted). it is dated U. It's also stamped Made in the USA. im now actually rethinking this pen. :blink:

 

here is a photo of the cap of a Parker 95

 

http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j468/SuperDocMario/Parker95.jpg

[icardoth]

My two pens are both from France. One is matte black like yours and the other is marbled green. Yours is definitely an Arrow, not a 95. Did you look at it with a loupe? Sometimes part of the date code is not clearly stamped.

[fronsac]

My two pens are both from France. One is matte black like yours and the other is marbled green. Yours is definitely an Arrow, not a 95. Did you look at it with a loupe? Sometimes part of the date code is not clearly stamped.

 

thank you icardoth for the help. here are photos of the actual pen.

 

http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j468/SuperDocMario/SNV10183.jpg

 

http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j468/SuperDocMario/SNV10187.jpg

 

It's stamped Made in the USA

 

Kind Regards

 

Mario

[grandpasmurf]

Hi

 

Your pen is definitely a 1980's parker arrow, these have been around since 1982

 

As for the date code, if you have not had the pen from new then it is possible that the cap has been replaced. The pocket clips are easily deformed on these and I know from experience that Parker just used to replace the whole cap rather than fiddle about repairing just the clip, and that would explain the date code

 

Hope this helps, enjoy your pen!

[fronsac]

Hi

 

Your pen is definitely a 1980's parker arrow, these have been around since 1982

 

As for the date code, if you have not had the pen from new then it is possible that the cap has been replaced. The pocket clips are easily deformed on these and I know from experience that Parker just used to replace the whole cap rather than fiddle about repairing just the clip, and that would explain the date code

 

Hope this helps, enjoy your pen!

 

thank you grampasmurf, you have been VERY helpful. i got the pen from an antique dealer, so i surmise, the pen has been repaired as you explained.

 

thank you again for the enlightenment.

 

mario

[ceejaybee]

The U date code is most likely from 1981, it's not unusual to find date anomalies on early production pieces - here's a 1992 Parker 'Senator' produced a year earlier than its 1993 launch with a new name.... 'Sonnet'

 

http://i865.photobucket.com/albums/ab212/ceejaybee_photo/IMG_1831.jpg

[Mike 59]

Hi, If it's any help, I have a Vector with exactly the same shape clip, the year code is IIA so that's 2nd quarter 1992.

So if your U year code is correct, then that would be the last quarter of 1991.

That shape clip was changed a few years later, I think 93 or 94, to a more angled edge on the 'flight' of the arrow, so that would rule out the 2001 option. I could post some photos if any use.

[fronsac]

The U date code is most likely from 1981, it's not unusual to find date anomalies on early production pieces - here's a 1992 Parker 'Senator' produced a year earlier than its 1993 launch with a new name.... 'Sonnet'

 

http://i865.photobucket.com/albums/ab212/ceejaybee_photo/IMG_1831.jpg

 

 

Thanks Ceejaybee for enlightening me. i think it's a date anomaly like you said... im just too OC about the history of a pen particularly if it's a Parker.

 

Appreciate your reply

 

Mario

[fronsac]

Hi, If it's any help, I have a Vector with exactly the same shape clip, the year code is IIA so that's 2nd quarter 1992.

So if your U year code is correct, then that would be the last quarter of 1991.

That shape clip was changed a few years later, I think 93 or 94, to a more angled edge on the 'flight' of the arrow, so that would rule out the 2001 option. I could post some photos if any use.

 

Thank you Mike 59, oh yeah, i didnt notice that. it does have the same shape clip as a Vector. however, im prone to believe its a dating anomaly... if my research is right, they stopped producing the pen in 1987. so it's either erroneously dated or the cap has been serviced.

 

Thank you for your time Mike.

 

Regards

 

Mario

 

P.S. could it be that the cap has been replaced with a Parker Vector Cap? i have no idea if Parker released a Matte Black Vector with gold trims...

Edited March 10, 2012 by fronsac

[grandpasmurf]

Hi, If it's any help, I have a Vector with exactly the same shape clip, the year code is IIA so that's 2nd quarter 1992.

So if your U year code is correct, then that would be the last quarter of 1991.

That shape clip was changed a few years later, I think 93 or 94, to a more angled edge on the 'flight' of the arrow, so that would rule out the 2001 option. I could post some photos if any use.

 

Thank you Mike 59, oh yeah, i didnt notice that. it does have the same shape clip as a Vector. however, im prone to believe its a dating anomaly... if my research is right, they stopped producing the pen in 1987. so it's either erroneously dated or the cap has been serviced.

 

Thank you for your time Mike.

 

Regards

 

Mario

 

P.S. could it be that the cap has been replaced with a Parker Vector Cap? i have no idea if Parker released a Matte Black Vector with gold trims...

 

Simple answer - Nope! the Vector clip is similar in appearance only, the clip on the Arrow is made from 2 pieces where as the clip from the Vector is a single piece bent over at the top. The cap itself is also different and the 2 are not interchangeable as the Vector clutch grips the body near the nib and the Arrow/95 grips the collar between the body and barrel.

 

Interestingly and off topic you can fit a vector cap to an 88 and vice-versa, and make a very wrong looking franken-pen!!!!!!

 

Gramps

[fronsac]

Hi, If it's any help, I have a Vector with exactly the same shape clip, the year code is IIA so that's 2nd quarter 1992.

So if your U year code is correct, then that would be the last quarter of 1991.

That shape clip was changed a few years later, I think 93 or 94, to a more angled edge on the 'flight' of the arrow, so that would rule out the 2001 option. I could post some photos if any use.

 

Thank you Mike 59, oh yeah, i didnt notice that. it does have the same shape clip as a Vector. however, im prone to believe its a dating anomaly... if my research is right, they stopped producing the pen in 1987. so it's either erroneously dated or the cap has been serviced.

 

Thank you for your time Mike.

 

Regards

 

Mario

 

P.S. could it be that the cap has been replaced with a Parker Vector Cap? i have no idea if Parker released a Matte Black Vector with gold trims...

 

Simple answer - Nope! the Vector clip is similar in appearance only, the clip on the Arrow is made from 2 pieces where as the clip from the Vector is a single piece bent over at the top. The cap itself is also different and the 2 are not interchangeable as the Vector clutch grips the body near the nib and the Arrow/95 grips the collar between the body and barrel.

 

Interestingly and off topic you can fit a vector cap to an 88 and vice-versa, and make a very wrong looking franken-pen!!!!!!

 

Gramps

 

Thank you Gramps. i learned something today. so that rules out the Vector's cap being used on my Arrow. interesting info about the vector's cap fitting an 88, ill keep that in mind.

 

warm regards

mario

[PDW]

Another possible Parker 95 anomaly? I've just received a 95, brushed steel/gold trims, French made, with a very clear date code of PL. According to http://parkerpens.net/codekey.html this is 1987, q3, but http://parkerpens.net/parker95.html says that "When the Parker Arrow was discontinued in early 1988 the Parker "95" was introduced to replace it." [my emphasis]

 

So, do I have a very early standard production Parker 95 or is something else going on?

 

BTW the barrel end on this pen has a gold tassie with a gold recess formed in it and no jewel - is a black disc missing?

Edited June 11, 2012 by PDW

[grandpasmurf]

Another possible Parker 95 anomaly? I've just received a 95, brushed steel/gold trims, French made, with a very clear date code of PL. According to http://parkerpens.net/codekey.html this is 1987, q3, but http://parkerpens.net/parker95.html says that "When the Parker Arrow was discontinued in early 1988 the Parker "95" was introduced to replace it." [my emphasis]

 

So, do I have a very early standard production Parker 95 or is something else going on?

 

BTW the barrel end on this pen has a gold tassie with a gold recess formed in it and no jewel - is a black disc missing?

 

 

A few explanations could cover this one, the 95 was not much more than a cosmetic update of the arrow, the cap and barrel are identical, so its possible that parnker had some arrow bits left over in the factory and used these up making early 95's, or could be a repair again, perhaps they had bins full of clips, caps, barrels and tassies ect that they could just assemble new sections for both ranges from there, or more likely, someone had a 95 with broken nib and an arrow with a broken clip and made 1 frankenpen out of 2, I have one like this, othing to be ashamed of, reduces the risk of mixing it up with another pen!

[PDW]

I have one like this, othing to be ashamed of, reduces the risk of mixing it up with another pen!

 

Not at all ashamed, just fascinated at the history you can derive from such a simple artefact. I also love pens with a previous owner's name on them - it turns a mass-production item into something with its very own life story.

Edited June 19, 2012 by PDW