Dating Parker Pens

[teryg93]

I have several different Parkers now--51s, Rialtos, Vectors. I read that there's a date code on each pen. I found the key on parkerpens.net, but I can't see any code on any of the pens other than the F or M for the nib. Is there a trick to finding it?

[pen lady]

Parker stopped date coding their pens between 1955 and 1980. If there is a code on your 51s it will be on the barrel near the top just under the clutch ring. You can get a rough idea of their age by looking at various design features of the clip and sac protector, assuming they are not Vacumatics. There may be a date stamp on the 51 nib too but unless you really know what you're doing, please don't try to undo the hood to find out. Check the bottom of the cap on the more modern pens down near the rim for the code.

Edited July 8, 2017 by pen lady

[PaulS]

Not entirely sure I understand the discussion here - me being thick I expect - are you able to post pix of those pens that do not carry date codes?

I wasn't aware that specific nibs implied the absence of a date code - assuming the pens fall into the coded period.

[inkstainedruth]

Don't have a Rialto, so I can't help you there.

The Vectors should be under the *new* date code system (check further down in the article) -- I'm pretty sure all of mine have date codes, although occasionally there seem to be duplicate codes for different dates on the modern pens.

For Parker 51s that are after the mid 1950s, you can sometimes narrow down the date by what it says on the sac sleeve (IIRC, if it says "Use Superchrome Ink" that means the pen was made prior to 1957). Also check the Parker 51 article on the parker pens.net site for a ton of more information on the model in general.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[Mike 59]

Hi, If your Vectors/Rialtos were made after 1980, you need to look at the cap, reading the Word 'PARKER' under the point of the clip, then turn the cap around to the back, on the opposite side to the word 'PARKER', you should see the country of origin, and a letter and some 'I' symbols. This is the datecode, and is explained on the Parkerpens.net site, under the heading of 'Datecodes and other'.

Pens made in the 1960s and 70s tended to have no date codes but sometimes it's possible to get a good idea from the colours or the details of the pen.

Regarding the Vector, the clip is different before '93 to after '93, it was changed to a more sloping leading edge to the 'feather' detail.

My photo shows several of my pens with the date codes. Hope that helps.

Edited July 9, 2017 by Mike 59

[teryg93]

Thanks for the help. I found codes on two of the 3 pens I was looking at. I'll have to look more closely at the 3rd pen. I'll see if I can get a good enough photo to post.

[mitto]

You may not find the datecode on the P51. It may have either worn out or it may be produced after datecoding was stopped in the 50s.

[teryg93]

I think the 51s are almost certainly newer than the 50s. I don't actually know how long my father-in-law had them, but since the 50s seems unlikely. So that leaves one 88 that I have to look at more closely. I thought it was a Rialto because these are always sold as Rialtos, but someone who repairs pens mentioned that if the section threads are metal, it's an 88--and the threads on all that general model of Parker that I own are metal.

[Mike 59]

Hi, Reading through the info on Parkerpens.net, it appears that the '88' had a plain nib, while the Rialto had an engraved nib.

Also if the datecode is 1994 or before, it's an '88', and if after 94 then it's a Rialto.

I don't own any of these, I'm just reading what's already been written.

[vicpen123]

Dating fountain pens. My wife won't allow me.

[mitto]

Dating fountain pens. My wife won't allow me.

Then stay AWAY from DATING pens.

[PaulS]

quote from Mike59 .................. "it appears that the '88' had a plain nib". Can only say that my two 88s both carry a nib imprint showing only the word PARKER - so really not sure what the expression 'plain nib' really means - does it imply the nib lacks any reference to gold plating??

[hood]

The Rialto nibs have some scroll work which the 88 nibs don't.

[mitto]

+1

[PaulS]

thanks for the explanation