Help Identifying Parker Sonnet

[4lex]

 

 

I bought this Sonnet on eBay and it looks genuine to me. What I find confusing is that the 18K two tone nib and the grip section are same as on Fougere or Chinese Laque version but the cap and barrel are Stainless Steel GT which I think should have steel nib.

 

The pen looks genuine under close examination and the nib is very nice, with surprising amount of flex although the feed can't keep up with the amount of flex the nib gives and starts railroading soon.

It says parker Sonnet France I on the cap band, which I think is 1994 or 2004.

 

All I can think is that is a fake but it does not look as fake under the loop. Was there a version of steel sonnet with this section and two tone 18K nib?

[Ted F]

There are two places to look for Sonnet information: parkerpens.net and http://penhome.co.uk/sonnetcatalogue.htm. By the looks of what they show this is roughly a 2004 pen with a premier section and an 18K nib. You say it's stainless steel but it looks a little grayer than Parker's stainless steel but that may be due to the color balance of the photo. I think it's an unusual pen and a very nice pen. I have a small Sonnet collection and I'd love to have a pen like that.

Edited August 1, 2015 by Ted F

[pajaro]

Yup, it's not a fake, but a stainless Sonnet GT (gold tone furniture and nib) with the real special section and nib from a first generation luxury model like the red Chinese Lacquer pen. That's a nice section and nib on a nice pen.

[4lex]

There are two places to look for Sonnet information: parkerpens.net and http://penhome.co.uk/sonnetcatalogue.htm. By the looks of what they show this is roughly a 2004 pen with a premier section and an 18K nib. You say it's stainless steel but it looks a little grayer than Parker's stainless steel but that may be due to the color balance of the photo. I think it's an unusual pen and a very nice pen. I have a small Sonnet collection and I'd love to have a pen like that.

 

Yup, it's not a fake, but a stainless Sonnet GT (gold tone furniture and nib) with the real special section and nib from a first generation luxury model like the red Chinese Lacquer pen. That's a nice section and nib on a nice pen.

Thanks guys, I plan to give it away to my niece and I don't want to give away a fake.

It is true it looks a bit grayer that Parker 45 fighter I have. Picture is fair representation how the pen really looks. I was looking on the parker.net but I can't find a pen like this.

 

I was surprised how soft the nib is. I think I will look for another 18k dual tone from same period.

What is also interesting is that the middle part of the grip section rotates. I am not sure if that is supposed to happen but it does not rotate with regular writing and does not bother me.

 

All in all I think for 40$ I got a nice present for my niece. Its just that I have second thoughts about giving it away...

[Ted F]

 

What is also interesting is that the middle part of the grip section rotates. I am not sure if that is supposed to happen but it does not rotate with regular writing and does not bother me.

 

 

 

The section shouldn't rotate when you're writing. Everything screws on. Unscrew the nib and feed and tighten the section then put the nib and feed back in. Tighten the whole thing and it'll be fine. By the way, what is the nib designation on the underside of the feed?

[4lex]

 

The section shouldn't rotate when you're writing. Everything screws on. Unscrew the nib and feed and tighten the section then put the nib and feed back in. Tighten the whole thing and it'll be fine. By the way, what is the nib designation on the underside of the feed?

Thanks for the advice. I will do that. Designation on the feed says M. It writes like a regular western M (if there is such a thing).

[mitto]

For me , 'M' is the best nib on P75s and Sonnets.

[4lex]

I couldn't resolve the section rotating problem. I found this thread https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/241188-sonnet-section-problem/

and tried the same but it does not work. I just scratched the inner plastic part.

[4lex]

I give up. I can't fix it and I don't want to ruin the pen doing it. I am selling it on eBay if anyone is interested.

[mitto]

Please dont. Take it easy and do it with cool mind some other time. And dont be disappinted either. Always hope for the best.

 

Bsst luck.

[4lex]

Please dont. Take it easy and do it with cool mind some other time. And dont be disappinted either. Always hope for the best.

 

Bsst luck.

Thanks for being considerate. That is a very good advice. I don't think I will be able to fix it tho, and I would hate to ruin a nice pen.

 

I may buy a new grip section, if I spot a good deal.

[Ted F]

The nib you can take out and put on any Sonnet/Insignia section; however, the type you have (premier section with the extra gold band) is what makes your pen unique and finding one as a separate part would be difficult. How bad is the scratch. A pen restorer might be able to fix it if it's not too bad.

[4lex]

The nib you can take out and put on any Sonnet/Insignia section; however, the type you have (premier section with the extra gold band) is what makes your pen unique and finding one as a separate part would be difficult. How bad is the scratch. A pen restorer might be able to fix it if it's not too bad.

It is not too bad, it is on the inner side of the grip section so you can't really see it. I can't figure out is the outer section glued on the inner plastic part that it now rotates on. I can't take the section apart completely. There are six small grooves on the inner plastic section where the nib screws in, so it may be that you need some special tool.

[Ted F]

You're in England so there should be 100s of people who work on pens and could fix your trouble for a reasonable price. If you were in the States I'd suggest you go to Danny Fudge at The Write Pen. He's what you need.