"first Year" Parker 75

October 10, 2015

I bought a Parker 75 crosshatch on eBay a couple weeks ago that has flat tassies, narrow cap band, clip with small point and short feathers, section ring with all the index marks the same length plus a 0 mark, section grip ridges that run all the way to the barrel, and metal section threads. Nib size is marked 65 rather than F. Does that make it a "first year" pen?

October 11, 2015

Usually the metal threads indicate first year

October 13, 2015

Would you be kind enough to post some clear pictures of your pen?

October 13, 2015

Is the clip on your pen notched into the cap or is it notched into the top tassie?

October 13, 2015

Would you be kind enough to post some clear pictures of your pen?

I haven't taken any, but I will and then post.

Is the clip on your pen notched into the cap or is it notched into the top tassie?

I had forgotten about that "field mark." It is notched into the tassie.

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A question: Is there anything unique about early nibs, other than size indicated by numbers rather than letters? Number sizes continued several years as I recall, so not unique to first year.

The nib on this pen has a small up/down wave between tip and breather hole, as from a drop or tap on the tip. Could almost be considered cosmetic since function is good. Tip is centered, tines are parallel for full length, no apparent effect on slit geometry. I imagine it's repairable if I decide to do it.

Or considering that nibs are owner interchangeable, would swapping for one with same markings be "non-original?"

October 13, 2015

I haven't taken any, but I will and then post.

I had forgotten about that "field mark." It is notched into the tassie.

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A question: Is there anything unique about early nibs, other than size indicated by numbers rather than letters? Number sizes continued several years as I recall, so not unique to first year.

The nib on this pen has a small up/down wave between tip and breather hole, as from a drop or tap on the tip. Could almost be considered cosmetic since function is good. Tip is centered, tines are parallel for full length, no apparent effect on slit geometry. I imagine it's repairable if I decide to do it.

Or considering that nibs are owner interchangeable, would swapping for one with same markings be "non-original?"

Your pen is definitely a first year pen. And, no. Nib swapping for one with the same marking wouldn't make it 'non-oroginal.

Remember the metal threads on the section were discontinued within a few months even on the first year pens. So was the case with clips notched into the top tassies. You have got a special P75 pen. Enjoy your pen and take good care of it.

Edited October 13, 2015 by mitto

October 13, 2015

Photos below. Pen has been used, but my macro-flash photos make the scuffs on the section look far worse than they appear holding it in my hand. The diagonal scuffs are only at that one spot, and I had to try several times to get them to show well in the photo. The only thing I have done is wipe it with a silver polishing cloth, not trying to clean every crevice and corner or the few bits of remaining tarnish.

While I was looking closely at the photos, I noticed one other atypical detail. The 0 mark is centered between two index marks. On any other early sections I have seen, the 0 is aligned with one of the index marks.

The seller listed it as "flat end model" but not as first year. Listing had no photo of the threads, but one of section and barrel attached showed the smooth metal end of the thread piece next to the barrel. None of the three listing photos showed the clip inset to tassie.

Regarding nib damage, in these closeup views I see a slight nudge to the side, right at the tip.

Edited October 13, 2015 by gregglee