1946 Parker Vacumatic - Is It Worth The Price They Want For It?

[MyriamV]

Ok, saw this in a store in town and I just have to get some feedback here first. I'm drawn to Parker pens, but I still have a lot to learn about them. So here goes.

 

The seller wants $46 firm for it. I have no way of knowing if the diaphragm is still good though. So my question is, keeping in mind I might have to send it in for repairs, is the price reasonable?

 

I forgot to take a picture with the light shining through it, but it looks clean inside the barrel. Here are the other pictures I took.

 

http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a522/TigerLady143/FPN%20Photos/1D692CAF-A9B6-43EC-AE65-04564148C46F-32238-00000341E8B79D12_zps2792be81.jpg

 

http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a522/TigerLady143/FPN%20Photos/7C5B2D5C-7353-461B-88E4-508D11B6DA94-32238-00000341F2E08272_zpsb3c9d1fa.jpg

 

http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a522/TigerLady143/FPN%20Photos/CD2A4844-7A23-4E2B-8EE0-22DCE8DA36DE-32238-00000341FE450EFA_zps93908f15.jpg

 

http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a522/TigerLady143/FPN%20Photos/33046232-4674-4889-B315-37FA1DCB1D6F-32238-000003421BACF2F6_zps52f4a813.jpg

 

[risingsun]

That's in the right range for an unserviced example. I would plan on not relying on the condition of the diaphragm. It should be replaced unless you are told it has been done recently.

[MyriamV]

Ok, thanks risingsun. Do you have an idea how much having the diaphragm changed would cost?

[Florida Blue]

Replacing a diaphragm should cost around $20-$45 depending on who does the servicing.

 

I agree that the pen is not badly priced, but maybe a little towards the higher end. (Although I'd probably buy it myself if I saw it for sale).

 

It looks like a Major size in black from 1946.

[Freddy]

Do you have an idea how much having the diaphragm changed would cost?

 

 

For your consideration..Tom Mullane {OldGriz} at www.myfavoritepen.com..{Repair.html}

Excellent work and price..

 

Fred

 

Edit..replaced lower case

Edited August 3, 2013 by Freddy

[MyriamV]

Thank you. Something was telling me it wasn't badly priced when I saw it, but I wanted to be sure before making the purchase. Guess I'll be making a second trip to the store today!

[MyriamV]

Thanks, Fred. I'll check it out.

[SMG]

3rd quarter 1946 Major in black with a decent looking nib with no damage or missing parts, for $46? I'd buy them all day at that price.

Get Tom to restore it and you will have a great user pen.

[MyriamV]

Thanks SMG. I went back to the store and bought it. I'll post better pictures in a new thread later today. Thank you for the recommendation too.

[Scrawler]

I would pay that for a 1stQ 1946 in nice condition. I always assume that it will need resacing. I bought one very similar for my daughter for her first vac. I paid $10 more, but got lucky because the diaphragm still had life in it.

 

 

Edit: Oh I should have read the whole thread before responding. Enjoy your new pen.

Edited August 5, 2013 by Scrawler

[MyriamV]

Thank you Scrawler. Even though I've already purchased it, I like knowing what other people think. I'm new in the fountain pen world and I have a lot to learn. By reading what other people think/know, I learn a lot.

[Ron Z]

You would have been nuts not to buy it. It's worth much more than that in parts alone. Nothing has to be replaced, so good nib, feed, section, pump, clip, jewel, barrel, cap... all add up to a tidy sum if you were to parts it out. A no brainer.

[MyriamV]

Thank you for your input, Ron. Guess that's good news! Being new to fountain pens, it's hard to know what's a bargain and what isn't, but so far it seems like I've been doing pretty good. Maybe I should stop now before my luck runs out! Nah, I'm enjoying myself too much to stop. I'm definitely hooked!

[SMG]

Doh! Yup it's a first quarter. I'm a little rusty.

[MyriamV]

I thought 3 dots meant 3rd quarter.

[SMG]

Nope, 3 dots for 1st quarter, 2 for 2nd, 1 for 3rd, none for 4th. The dots were protrusions on the tool that imprinted the pen. Each quarter they would file one dot off. Easier than adding one, and much quicker.

[MyriamV]

Does that notation work the same way across the brands or is it specific to Parker?

[Florida Blue]

Does that notation work the same way across the brands or is it specific to Parker?

It was specific to Parker pens only. They started that date code system in 1934 and ended it in the mid 1950s.

[Scrawler]

It was specific to Parker pens only. They started that date code system in 1934 and ended it in the mid 1950s.

Oh if life were only so simple. Until 1938 vacumatics were numbered 1 for first Q 2 for second etc. So 16 meant 1Q 1936, 35 meant 3Q 1935.

[MyriamV]

Oh boy, talk about consistency! I'm really interested in Parker fountain pens though so I'm starting a little notebook with all this info right away.

 

Thanks Florida Blue and Scrawler!