Parker Vacumatic Date Puzzler

[PhlipO]

I have owned, restored, sold, let’s just say lots and lots of Parker Vacumatics. Today I encountered a barrel Date Code that stumped me - 59. The history I know says 1953 was the last year for Vacumatics. This pen has no signs of being a fake, the barrel imprint is dead on, and the 59 date code shows no alteration. The leading 5 would follow 50’s dating protocol, but the 9 has got me scratching my head!

 

Any clarification would be most appreciated.  Thanks much.

[ralfstc]

Is the pen Canadian?

 

Ralf

[FarmBoy]

Most likely not Canadian.  Does the clip have a diamond punched into it?

[ralfstc]

Interesting question Farmboy! So should be lockdown?

 

R.

[PhlipO]

Thanks for comments. It is definitely made in USA, and the clip does not have a diamond punched into it.

[ralfstc]

Hi,

 

Is the filler celluloid or the metal lockdown type?

 

Cheers,

 

Ralf

[PhlipO]

Filler is celluloid, pen is a plastic Major.

[joss]

Pictures of the pen and imprint might be helpful and eventually interesting for future reference. I assume that you are sure that the digit is a clear 9 and not a 3.

[PhlipO]

Good idea Joss.

[PhlipO]

Joss - when I look at it under a loupe, the cut of the engraving on the “9” is identical to the style, quality of the “5”. I guess if someone was really good and wanted badly for it to say “59”, it could be pulled off. Just had an idea. Think I’ll pull out some Vacs I have on hand and see if I have a “53” to compare it to.

[joss]

Thank you for the pictures!

That looks like a clear 9 indeed. I just checked the 53 date code on a Canadian Vacumatic and the font of the digit 3 looks like this and thus cannot be mixed up by (or sneakily altered into) a 9 anyway. 

[Fermata]

There are date stamped Vacumatic barrels through the 50s and early 60s. When a replacement barrel was fitted by Parker some repair persons date  stamped the barrels, the latest I have seen is 63.

[FarmBoy]

On 9/30/2021 at 8:18 AM, Parkette said:

There are date stamped Vacumatic barrels through the 50s and early 60s. When a replacement barrel was fitted by Parker some repair persons date  stamped the barrels, the latest I have seen is 63.

I'm not convinced the barrels are the result of repairs.

[Fermata]

3 hours ago, FarmBoy said:

I'm not convinced the barrels are the result of repairs.

 

 

I am, so is David.

 

Logically, what alternative is there for a professionally stamped barrel.

[FarmBoy]

21 minutes ago, Parkette said:

 

 

I am, so is David.

 

Logically, what alternative is there for a professionally stamped barrel.

Perhaps when David returns the barrels and such he has on loan I'll write an article.

[FarmBoy]

Likely with David as a co-author if he would be willing.

[Fermata]

You could be right in terms of your concerns but I cannot think of any other explanation as to how a date stamp that has been professionally applied could have been been done by anyone other than Parker and, as they are not an overstamp,  this means that the stamp has been applied to a new barrel, logically anew Parker part that has been needed in the course of a repair.

 

I am sure that you have also seen datestamps  through the 1950s, personally I have yet to see a date later than 63.

 

The Shepherd Vacumatic book is silent on the subject. I haven't looked in the Parker Repair manual but I would be surprised if there is any mention.