Parker 45 Gold Nib?

[PokeUback]

Hi I recently purchased a "14k gold nib" Parker 45 from some guy on eBay. Well the guy seemed reputable by the number of good feedback.

However, I've read that the gold nibs should state that it's a 14k gold nib right? That's not the case here though.

It is a new-ish Parker 45 because it's made in the U.K. and it feels of lower quality than my other vintage one.

But anyway I also read that the new Parker 45s that are gold nibbed have the silverish tip on the nib. That's what I have here.

So this pen has a silver tip, but it doesn't state it's 14k. It's the newer versions though. Any insights on this or any way to really find out if it's actually 14k gold?

[Chrissy]

If it's a 14k gold nib it should have a hallmark on it that says either 14k or 585. The silver on the tip is actually the hard tipping material that is used. Some call it iridium, but it may be a different metal.

 

In order to see the hallmark, you need to unscrew the collar from the end of the grip, then remove the collar from the nib and feed so that you can see all of the top face of the nib.

[dr saleem ali]

parker 45 solid gold nibs are stamped as 14 k or sometimes 10 k .

[kapanak]

All Parker 45 gold nibs are either stamped with 14K or 10K or the European equivalent. The ones that are not are either the older Octanium steel alloy or the newer stainless steel alloy. The newer production ones are gold plated stainless steel nibs that have no gold content stamp.

[Martinsroom]

If it's a 14k gold nib it should have a hallmark on it that says either 14k or 585. The silver on the tip is actually the hard tipping material that is used. Some call it iridium, but it may be a different metal.

 

In order to see the hallmark, you need to unscrew the collar from the end of the grip, then remove the collar from the nib and feed so that you can see all of the top face of the nib.

As above, it's hidden under the collar. The nib and feed push forward out of the collar once the collar/feed/nib portion has been unscrewed from the rest of the pen.

[inkstainedruth]

The advantage to 45s is that they are extremely easy to take apart and put back together -- but be warned. The nibs themselves are *really* small and lightweight, so make sure you do it over a flat surface or in a tub so you don't run the risk of losing that nib.

I don't know the URL offhand, but when I got my first 45, someone on FPN pointed me to a YouTube video by Tyler Dahl on how to disassemble and reassemble 45s.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

 

ETA: Okay, I did a quick Google search, and there's a link to the video on his blog page:

 

http://tylerdahlpens.blogspot.com/2011/06/how-to-disassemble-parker-45.html

Edited July 5, 2016 by inkstainedruth

[PokeUback]

Yes I've done that already and there's no marking. So it's definitely just gold plated then?

[mariom]

Can you post a clear close-up picture of the nib - both front and back? That would help in answering your question accurately.

[DustyR]

Good advice, Ruth. I'm not sure exactly what I was expecting when I disassembled my first P45, but when I popped the nib and feed out of the plastic hood and saw the size of the nib I slowed down, took a breath and put the drain plug in the sink.

 

 

The advantage to 45s is that they are extremely easy to take apart and put back together -- but be warned. The nibs themselves are *really* small and lightweight, so make sure you do it over a flat surface or in a tub so you don't run the risk of losing that nib.

I don't know the URL offhand, but when I got my first 45, someone on FPN pointed me to a YouTube video by Tyler Dahl on how to disassemble and reassemble 45s.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

 

ETA: Okay, I did a quick Google search, and there's a link to the video on his blog page:

 

http://tylerdahlpens.blogspot.com/2011/06/how-to-disassemble-parker-45.html

[mitto]

Here is a 14k P45 nib.

 

 

 

[kapanak]

Yes I've done that already and there's no marking. So it's definitely just gold plated then?

 

Yes. It's not like some P51 nibs that don't have marking but are clearly Gold. P45 nibs all have the gold content marking if they are gold. If not, it's a steel alloy.

[PokeUback]

Well here's the nib.

So, I guess I didn't get a good deal eh?

[mitto]

That is a plated steel nib. Why don't you report the matter to the seller and ask for a gold nib as he has sold you a gold nib pen while it is not. May be he too didn't know the pen actually has got a plated steel nib. He may compensate you or provide you with a replacement gold nib for the pen.

 

Best.

[PokeUback]

That is a plated steel nib. Why don't you report the matter to the seller and ask for a gold nib as he has sold you a gold nib pen while it is not. May be he too didn't know the pen actually has got a plated steel nib. He may compensate you or provide you with a replacement gold nib for the pen.

 

Best.

Thank you, will do so.

[Mike 59]

Hi, Was just about to clean my 45, so I took a photo of the nib for the comparison.

You might find, as I did, that I had to get several 45s and mix the parts to get the best combination.

There are plenty of spares for 45s and they are one of the easiest Parker pens to take apart.

My 45 GT had a plated nib, as yours, but I bought a second pen, a total wreck of a 45, for a couple of pounds, the only part of any use was the nib, which is the one in my photo.

It's now a reliable smooth writer, most of it made in UK in '88, the nib from a junk 45 of unknown year.

Edited July 6, 2016 by Mike 59

[DustyR]

I can see why you would be disappointed if you thought you were getting a gold nib, but out of more than a dozen P45s I've had (still have most of them) the top writers are a mix of steel and gold-nibbled pens. In other words, I have some P45s w/Octanium nibs that write better than others w/gold. How does your new pen write?

 

Well here's the nib.

So, I guess I didn't get a good deal eh?

[mitto]

I can see why you would be disappointed if you thought you were getting a gold nib, but out of more than a dozen P45s I've had (still have most of them) the top writers are a mix of steel and gold-nibbled pens. In other words, I have some P45s w/Octanium nibs that write better than others w/gold. How does your new pen write?

 

Yes, there is the psychological factor. Paying for gold nibbed pen and not getting one with gold nib may cause one cosiderable distress. Howsoever well the octanium nib may write.

Edited July 6, 2016 by mitto

[pajaro]

There is something about the gold nib that brings to many people a superior satisfaction. This is quite understandable. I have felt this way also. A steel medium nib made into a fine italic by Pendemonium is really the only nice Parker 45 nib that I have, surpassing the 14K gold mediums I have. It's kind of revolting, in a way. That steel fine italic keeps writing day after day, and it's the only good P45 nib I have ever used. Revolting, truly revolting. Stands my feelings about gold vs. steel on their head.

[PokeUback]

Well the plated nib writes fine. It's smooth and all.

Just wanted the gold nib for that extra spring.

[pajaro]

I didn't find any spring in the 14K 45 nibs I had. They were firm.