A Prototype Parker Duofold Centennial Nib?

[Roger Zhao]

Good morning friends,

 

Recently I bought a Duofold Centennial nib from eBay. However, I haven't seen this style of Duofold's nib. The seller told me it is a production model while a friend told me that it's a prototype or test market.Could a expert in Parker tell me what's this?Gratitude for your help

 

Best regards,

Roger

[Beechwood]

I have been through the Duofold book and cannot see this nib or anything that looks like it. 

 

Must admit, I think the nib looks a mess, if it is 18K you would expect Parker to have made it correctly.

 

Is the nib magnetic? Did you buy the nib on its own or the complete pen?

 

 

[Roger Zhao]

25 minutes ago, Beechwood said:

I have been through the Duofold book and cannot see this nib or anything that looks like it. 

 

Must admit, I think the nib looks a mess, if it is 18K you would expect Parker to have made it correctly.

 

Is the nib magnetic? Did you buy the nib on its own or the complete pen?

 

 

Of course no magnic

I bought the nib on its own

[Beechwood]

If the nib is gold that is a good start

 

Parker made some different engravings for the Duofold in 2005 but I have not seen this design

[Roger Zhao]

41 minutes ago, Beechwood said:

If the nib is gold that is a good start

 

Parker made some different engravings for the Duofold in 2005 but I have not seen this design

Well I think it is a MK I model,which was made before 1996

[joss]

I have never seen this design on a Duofold nib either. The Mark I nib (1987-96) had a platinum-plated "arrow with feather" stamped on it. The artwork on your nib is quite odd and sloppy in places. The engravings also appear to have been done with a laser, rather than by die stamping as on a Duofold nib.

[Penguincollector]

  I looked at all my usual Parker sites, went through catalogs on the PCA site, and found nothing like this nib. The engraving looks really messy and amateurish. Everything is off center.

[VacNut]

🫨🫨🫨🫨

I thought 18K nibs were intended only for European Markets. The general USA nibs were 14K, correct? It’s interesting that the scroll work is not symmetrical and the entire pattern is off center to the tip.

Are those goldfish crackers references on each side?😂😂😂
You may consider requesting a return.

 

[Penguincollector]

9 hours ago, VacNut said:

🫨🫨🫨🫨

I thought 18K nibs were intended only for European Markets. The general USA nibs were 14K, correct? It’s interesting that the scroll work is not symmetrical and the entire pattern is off center to the tip.

Are those goldfish crackers references on each side?😂😂😂
You may consider requesting a return.

 

  14k was offered only for a short time very early in the Centennial’s existence. They were discontinued in 1989.

[thx1138]

I would be very suspicious about the origin of this nib. Two related issues raise flags.

 

First, the engraving is rather rustic to say the least, it is not particularly symmetrical. In addition the engraving is a long way off centre. It looks like hand engraving to me. All of the gold nibs i have seen from Parker have very clean stamping or very crisp and accurate engraving. 

 

Second, i have never seen similar stamping or engraving on a Parker nib from the 40's to present day pens. 

 

If the nib is a prototype I am not sure that they would bother to engrave such an ornate pattern. It is a bit of a mystery.  What did the seller have to say about the origin of the nib?

 

Could you please post a photo or two of the underside of the nib?

[Roger Zhao]

3 hours ago, thx1138 said:

I would be very suspicious about the origin of this nib. Two related issues raise flags.

 

First, the engraving is rather rustic to say the least, it is not particularly symmetrical. In addition the engraving is a long way off centre. It looks like hand engraving to me. All of the gold nibs i have seen from Parker have very clean stamping or very crisp and accurate engraving. 

 

Second, i have never seen similar stamping or engraving on a Parker nib from the 40's to present day pens. 

 

If the nib is a prototype I am not sure that they would bother to engrave such an ornate pattern. It is a bit of a mystery.  What did the seller have to say about the origin of the nib?

 

Could you please post a photo or two of the underside of the nib?

Hi,

 

I recently got it and was surprised to find that there is no engraving on the feed to show what type the nib is. Does this further confirm that this is a prototype? I think maybe.

 

Regards,

Roger

Edited February 14, 2025 by Roger Zhao

[Beechwood]

This is the link to the original sales site.

 

https://www.vintagepenparts.co.uk/ourshop/prod_8231533-N941-Parker-Duofold-Centennial-MK1-Medium-Nib.html

 

In common with others this listing does nothing to alter my concern about this nib, it does not look like a quality Parker product.

 

Something might be amiss. Obviously the same photograph for an item which is still shown as for sale, OP says that they have bought their nib from eBay.

 

I know and  have  bought from the seller offering the listing and would prefer not to comment on the experience.

 

 

 

 

[Roger Zhao]

1 hour ago, Beechwood said:

This is the link to the original sales site.

 

https://www.vintagepenparts.co.uk/ourshop/prod_8231533-N941-Parker-Duofold-Centennial-MK1-Medium-Nib.html

 

In common with others this listing does nothing to alter my concern about this nib, it does not look like a quality Parker product.

 

Something might be amiss. Obviously the same photograph for an item which is still shown as for sale, OP says that they have bought their nib from eBay.

 

I know and  have  bought from the seller offering the listing and would prefer not to comment on the experience.

 

 

 

 

Well in fact I have bought this and have received it.I don't know why it's still available on that site.I am confused too.

Edited February 14, 2025 by Roger Zhao

[Beechwood]

The owner of the website and the ebay seller are the same person.

 

He lists other Duofold nib units on his ebay site, it is possible that he simply has not updated his website.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[thx1138]

An unmarked feed is not uncommon, i have several duofolds with unmarked feeds. Whether they left the factory like that or were replaced for some reason I don't know. 

[VacNut]

As the present owner of the nib, you are free to decide on the authenticity, but I would be wary of reselling the nib as a “prototype”.

There are many metals other than gold that are not metallic. 

[Beechwood]

57 minutes ago, VacNut said:

As the present owner of the nib, you are free to decide on the authenticity, but I would be wary of reselling the nib as a “prototype”.

There are many metals other than gold that are not metallic. 

 

 

... or magnetic 😉

 

 

[VacNut]

Yes

thx. Phone auto-correct.