Parker 75 Cisele- Patina Or No Patina?

[penmanila]

^they're both US models. the easiest way to distinguish between US and later french 75s is the section--the french ones are rounder and smoother.

[soapytwist]

Agreed - but with a caveat that the section is also one of the parts that often gets replaced, thanks to plastic threads and wear & corrosion to the collar (especially the French-made gold-plated ones). My French pen has a NOS US section with a dial on it!

[farmersmums]

The OP's shiny one is an earlier (US-made?) version where the grid is formed from tarnish and therefore can be polished out if you use something like a toothbrush. The look (if you polish lightly) is a little more 'organic' and soft-looking. I'm not sure from the photos but possibly the tarnished one is a later (French-made?) pen where the grid is 'U' rather than 'V' shaped and filled with a black lacquer (or paint?), so polishing will not reduce the crispness of the black lines. Maybe the OP can confirm?

 

Edited to say, having looked again, they both look like earlier models (my eyes are failing me and it's difficult to tell!). I've modified my text accordingly...

 

Just confirming- your second look was correct, these are both early US-made 75's, identical in every respect except for the nibs. The shiny pen's nib is marked 66 while the tarnished pen's nib is marked M. Both should equate to medium, I believe, but the latter was quite a bit wider even prior to being stubbed.

[rochester21]

Hm, maybe something in between would be best? Of course, people do like shinny things(especially when they want to buy a pen), but since the P75 is pretty old, why not show it? You could clean only the nib and section, clip, the cap band and the rings, and leave the rest of the body as is(or do just a partial cleaning).

Edited June 2, 2014 by rochester21

[pajaro]

When I finally got one of these, I was torn. Patina? I used Lysol Bathroom and Tile cleaner on it to get the germs off, because I have paranoia about that. The patina can wait.

[77kath]

I have always buffed mine with silver polishing cloth, when I think about it. It used to belong to my husband; between us we've had it about fifty years. I like the contrast.

[Ursus]

The intended look is a polished surface with dark grooves creating a nice contrast between bright and dark. A totally oxidated pen will turn your hands black - and frankly, it looks rather dirty.

[mitto]

^they're both US models. the easiest way to distinguish between US and later french 75s is the section--the french ones are rounder and smoother.

Not quite true. The earlier French made 75s also have the same sections as on US 75 pens. Only the later French production 75s have the rounded sections.

[mmg122]

Both lovely, but I prefer the polished Cisele.

[Ursus]

 

^they're both US models. the easiest way to distinguish between US and later french 75s is the section--the french ones are rounder and smoother.

I thought that the easiest way were the US vs. French stamps. And if it says MADE IN THE USA it's even easier.

Have any of you ever seen an unmarked 75? (nib included)

[prf5]

I would prefer a mid point, with a bit of tarnish on the silver, but not totally blackened. A little light work with the jeweler's cloth, but not too much.

 

Agree. A jeweler's cloth allows you to remove dirt and tarnish without destroying the patina.