Parker Duofold, De-Coding Nib Markings

[Bill Nick]

I've had this aerometric Duofold for some time, I had no interest in it but I acquired it with another Parker that I was interested in as they were being sold as a package.

 

Just been having a close look at it today and I've been trying to date it and although I now quite like it I get the feeling that it's not very special. Parkerpens.net is the only source I have but it wasn't specific enough.

 

It's an English pen, green (a bit like British Racing Green - I know, that's not how Parker describes it!), Parker Duofold inscribed lengthways mid-barrel with Made in England underneath that. The cap has a thin gold band with chevrons and a 'BRG' cap jewel.

 

The nib is inscribed Parker, 14k, England and under that 35 with a space followed by 4. The 35 has two dots underneath, the 4 has one dot. Do these dots have any significance?

 

Can anyone give me any information about this pen that may be helpful?

 

Thanks.

Edited June 10, 2019 by BillNick

[mariom]

The 35 indicates the pen is a Duofold Senior. These were second in size only to the Duofold Maxima, and a very nice men to write with.

 

The 4 and the dots may be a form of date code, but I'm not certain. I've seen quite a few mid-50s English Duofolds with a 4 on the nib.

[Bill Nick]

The 35 indicates the pen is a Duofold Senior. These were second in size only to the Duofold Maxima, and a very nice men to write with.

 

The 4 and the dots may be a form of date code, but I'm not certain. I've seen quite a few mid-50s English Duofolds with a 4 on the nib.

 

Thanks for that confirmation, I had been thinking along Senior lines also, it's now just the dots that are getting to me!

[hari317]

The dots signify quarter of the year of production , more details can be found at parker specific websites or on FPN itself. HTH

[richardandtracy]

That pen has all the special features that characterised England in the 1950's. It is safe, sturdy, functional and unexciting. I have, on a number of occasions, nearly bought one. But have never quite managed it; I want a pen that is not instantly forgettable, and I do agree with you that it isn't "very special".

 

Anyway, enjoy it. And try to remember which pen it was you enjoyed.

 

Regards,

 

Richard.

[PaulS]

If published words are anything to go by, the first two models in this aerometric range were the 'Duofold' and the 'Demi-Duofold', both first made in 1953, and the 'Senior' was next in terms of production date - which is quoted as being launched in 1954. Green is allegedly the least common of the four colours.

 

As for dots, Parker seem to have used two of them to indicate Second Quarter, though whether this holds good for Newhaven produced pens I'm unsure.

Would be helpful to think this coding was simple enough that the op's pen was Second Quarter 1954, but whether it's that easy for this aerometric range remains to be seen.

 

Hopefully, someone will come back and confirm that, or otherwise.

[peterg]

That is what I was thinking, Paul, as Parker apparently found it easier to remove than add dots to the date markings.

[Beechwood]

A Senior Duofold was the first pen I ever bought brand new with my own money, so I will always have a soft spot for them.

 

Very reliable pens with a degree of flex to the nib and a good range of nib availability, including a very good oblique.

 

Softish plastics that respond well to a polish. Only potential problem in my experience is some cap lip cracks caused by overtightening of the cap which also leads to minor scratches on the barrel caused by the cap but at easy fix.

 

A bit of a Morris Oxford of a pen, not particularly exciting to look at but a comfortable journey without any incidents.

[pen lady]

Love that description ''Morris Oxford'' of pens. It registers with me (an ex-Brit) but we need a similar phrase for use across the Pond. ''Like a '57 Chevy'' maybe?

[Bill Nick]

The dots signify quarter of the year of production , more details can be found at parker specific websites or on FPN itself. HTH

 

Any hints where? I haven't found any yet, that's why I came here again.

[Bill Nick]

If published words are anything to go by, the first two models in this aerometric range were the 'Duofold' and the 'Demi-Duofold', both first made in 1953, and the 'Senior' was next in terms of production date - which is quoted as being launched in 1954. Green is allegedly the least common of the four colours.

 

As for dots, Parker seem to have used two of them to indicate Second Quarter, though whether this holds good for Newhaven produced pens I'm unsure.

Would be helpful to think this coding was simple enough that the op's pen was Second Quarter 1954, but whether it's that easy for this aerometric range remains to be seen.

 

Hopefully, someone will come back and confirm that, or otherwise.

 

Thanks. I know that it's a Duofold, not a Demi. Just the dots info I need.

[PaulS]

Hi - apologies if my explanation was less than clear - I wasn't suggesting that this pen is a Demi - my preamble was just a way of indicating the time line for the first two or three of these Newhaven models, including yours, which judging by the No. 35 shown on the nib, is a Senior, which was the third model to be issued, in 1954, within this aerometric group. Rather than saying simply that you have a Duofold, it's better to specify the individual model since confusion reigns unless we know which one of the seven models we're speaking about.

 

To some extent these Newhaven barrel imprints can be misleading - most of the variants within the group, at some time or another, have been described as 'Duofolds', irrespective of the individual names i.e. Lady, Junior, Demi, Senior and Maxima etc., and this gives rise to confusion since there is one model which alone is specifically called a Duofold, and for which the correct nib is No. 25.

The answer would be to describe the pen according to its nib designation - assuming it has the correct nib.

 

This is all well and good for later post 1958 pens which in theory should all sport a model No. on the nib, but the system falls apart at the seams for pens prior to that date, when nibs didn't carry a No. and instead were simply imprinted with upper case N for Newhaven. However, this shouldn't be a problem in determining which model since the barrel imprint should show this detail.

This sounds to suggest that confusion is rife, but not really - no two models have the same dimensions, and Demi's and Maxima's have wide cap bands which help to separate them from others.

 

The bit above about two dots for the second quarter is of course taken from the standard Parker coding for States made pens. From c. 1938 to c. 1950 the dating code was three dots for the first quarter, two for the second, one dot for the third and none for the fourth. - this all changed I think c. 1950, but may have persisted in Canada and the U.K. for longer - but this was the reasoning - rightly or wrongly - for my comments above.

Am sure there must be people here who have some more factual information on the Newhaven dot coding.