Parker 45 Manufacturing

[mitto]

I have two 45s, neither with a Date code, both with gold section ring and clip, but one cap says Made in USA and the other says Made in France. It's quite likely these caps have been switched while in my possession; is there any way to tell the country of origin from the pen body?

 

Perhaps the imprints on the nibs would be the clue.

[corgicoupe]

Bingo!!! I had switched the caps. One nib says USA and the other says France.

 

Thanks, Khan. Much appreciated. And now I know more than I did yesterday.

[mitto]

Bingo!!! I had switched the caps. One nib says USA and the other says France.

Thanks, Khan. Much appreciated. And now I know more than I did yesterday.

You are welcome, corgiciupe.

 

Sometime one fails to take notice of something obvious.

[pajaro]

I am surprised that you people have so much praise for the 45 as a writer. I love the style of the 45 and it's a great 1960s look. I don't bother writing with them any more, after having given the 45 at least forty-five tries. They dry out, are stingy dispensing ink and the EF nibs were scratchy (14K). I have tried different converters, flushing, flossing, alignment. Nichts. They look great in a pen tray, though.

[ink-syringe]

I am surprised that you people have so much praise for the 45 as a writer. I love the style of the 45 and it's a great 1960s look. I don't bother writing with them any more, after having given the 45 at least forty-five tries. They dry out, are stingy dispensing ink and the EF nibs were scratchy (14K). I have tried different converters, flushing, flossing, alignment. Nichts. They look great in a pen tray, though.

 

I have had a couple dozen or so 45s. B/c like you I love the styling. The good ones in my experience are very very good and the bad ones awful. God know sI have had a whole bunch of dry scratch nasty 45s (especially in my youth). But I have had some that are heavenly. I think it is luck of the draw and I am sort of surprised to hear you say that in 45 tries you haven't found a good one.

 

I have one or two flighters that are spectacular, and Insignia that is wonderful, I just got a Harlequin that I love, and an Olive Green one that is also a great writer and actually needs a slightly dry ink to tame it. I vastly prefer the gold nibs. UK ones seem wetter and wider than the US ones. But I think my sample size is still too small to make that generalization. I won't argue with your contention that they dry out. Generally, they do dry out pretty quick. The other major flaw is that the sections get warped from the cap grabbies. I love them though. I'll confess nostalgia plays a role but good ones are a pleasure indeed.

[mitto]

I have had a couple dozen or so 45s. B/c like you I love the styling. The good ones in my experience are very very good and the bad ones awful. God know sI have had a whole bunch of dry scratch nasty 45s (especially in my youth). But I have had some that are heavenly. I think it is luck of the draw and I am sort of surprised to hear you say that in 45 tries you haven't found a good one.

 

I have one or two flighters that are spectacular, and Insignia that is wonderful, I just got a Harlequin that I love, and an Olive Green one that is also a great writer and actually needs a slightly dry ink to tame it. I vastly prefer the gold nibs. UK ones seem wetter and wider than the US ones. But I think my sample size is still too small to make that generalization. I won't argue with your contention that they dry out. Generally, they do dry out pretty quick. The other major flaw is that the sections get warped from the cap grabbies. I love them though. I'll confess nostalgia plays a role but good ones are a pleasure indeed.

 

+1 for the observation about English 45 nibs. I like the 45 after the 51 and the 75. My sample size is around 200 mix of all finishes of P45s. None of my 45 dries out. None have warped sections. But then I have vast supply of spare nibs and sections as well bodies - both caps and barrels. I buy pens and pen parts and replace bad nibs, bad feeds and bad sections with good nibs, good feeds and good sections/bodies all the time.

[Mike 59]

Hi, I've only owned 3 P45s, 2 were poor and the other well worn by the previous owner, but super to write with, just as I wanted.

I think it happens because the nibs and feeds are so small, and difficult to adjust.

It's easy enough to set the tine gap as you want, then rebuild the section, when the gap is completely different, so start again.

My 'good' 45 is a UK pen, 14k medium nib , it couldn't write any better.

[Barry Gabay]

Interesting thread about the Parker 45 & its manufacturing locations. In 1982, while living in Mexico, in a small stationers  I bought an olive green 45 with plastic cap & barrel, silver-metal trim, and steel nib. It was marked "Hecho en Mexico."  Sold or traded it years ago. I have read that Sheaffers marked "Hecho en Mexico" were assembled there rather than made there. Anyone know something definitive about Mexican 45s? If Mitto doesn't know, no one does. 

Edited July 15, 2024 by Barry Gabay
grammar error

[jchch1950]

Parker Pen Co. had a big operation in Mexico. I can't find my Parker 45 that was used occasionally in high school but I am sure it was made in Mexico as well as some ballpoints,

[Barry Gabay]

4 hours ago, jchch1950 said:

Parker Pen Co. had a big operation in Mexico. I can't find my Parker 45 that was used occasionally in high school but I am sure it was made in Mexico as well as some ballpoints,

jchch1950,  Thanks very much for the confirmation.  I appreciate it.