A Parker Challenger

[eharriett]

I just got my first Non-post Parker 51 pen at an antique shop. It was buried under some other things and I had no idea what it was until I asked to look at it, but I loved the look of the (celluloid?). Thought it was keen. I'm not a big Parker fan, but this has an open, flex-ish nib and I have never repaired a pen like this before. There's some scuffing on the barrel, but I'll worry about that later. Aside from that, I really love the look and feel of the pen.

 

It's a Parker Challenger. I know that because the imprint says "Parker Challenger" on it (keen detective work, huh?). Anyway, I believe this is what they call a button filler, is that correct? I've never restored or attempted to restore something like this before, but what a great way to learn! Do I get a P51 restoration kit to get the parts I need or could someone kindly link me to the appropriate parts for it? And is the nib a knock out or is there a different way to do it (looks like a lot of gunk in there). A search of the site did not lead me to restoration instructions. However, a Google search did lead me to learn what a Parker Challenger was.

 

Thanks. Looking forward to tackling my new challenge

 

[bsenn]

I suggest not knocking the nib out unless there is a good reason (such as the nib needs major straightening). Just soak the section with the nib, use 10% ammonia solution if needed.

 

Clean (chip) the old sac pieces off the section nipple. Measure the diameter of the nipple, convert to 64ths of an inch (for example if it measures .25", that is 16/64). However many 64ths is the sac size needed (a 16 sac, in the example).

 

The button can be pulled straight out. The old sac needs to be chipped out of the barrel. Take care not to damage the pressure bar. If the pressure bar is damaged, that's a whole nother post.

 

Cut a new sac to length, shellac to the nipple. Talc the sac, install the section in the barrel. The pressure bar gets installed through the button hole in the end of the barrel. Then press the button back into place.

 

That's the short version...

[pen lady]

Challengers are great work-horse pens. Richard Binder (richardspens.com) has a helpful illustrated article on sac replacement. Read to the end for information on a button filler. I recommend it. Good luck.

 

 

 

Edited for clarity.

Edited January 5, 2019 by pen lady

[inkstainedruth]

That looks a lot like mine. I found it in an antiques mall east of Morgantown West Virginia a couple of years ago. It was a little pricy for what it was, but it was also my first button filler.

I should pull that out again at some point -- after I get some pens out of rotation.... (Yes, I'm back to having too many inked up....)

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[eharriett]

It seems quite durable for a mid-30’s pen. I did a little more looking from what you all said and found a bit more. Thanks, bsenn, for the advice. When I pulled the button out, the pressure bar came with it. Although it does seem to be in fine shape. I just need to figure out how to reinstall it. And then get an appropriate size sac. I’ll measure tomorrow. Meanwhile, the nib and section are now sitting in water as you suggest. Let’s see if whatever is one it comes off.

 

Oh, and whatever was on the body (that isn’t celluloid, is it?) came off with a bit of simichrome and elbow grease. I can’t believe how nicely that pen cleaned up!

[PAKMAN]

Sweet find!

[GlenV]

You won't have much trouble with this one, knockout nib, wiggle and pull out on button from neck of button not the top so you can shine it up, can pull out the pressure bar and see if will still work older ones can be pretty thin this one likely will be ok. Resac with 16 usually and carefully put bar back in after section back on. Since isn't a threaded section it's pretty straightforward deal....then have fun writing with this pen from the mid 30's

[eharriett]

Update: all set to put it back together when I noticed the feed was not aligned with the nib. I don’t mean a little, I mean enough that I knew I wouldn’t get it to write if I didn’t do something. So I went to pull out the little breather tube so I could adjust everything. Tube disintegrated in my hand. Soot. So I wound up pulling out the rest of the nib and feed anyway. Couldn’t have dust clogging the feed.

 

So now a new question: do I need to replace the breather tube or will this do just fine without one? I know with the Eversharp, you really need to replace them, but for these pens, how important is it? It didn’t look like the tube extended very high, not nearly as much as the Eversharp tubes did, but then again, I have no idea how much disintegrated before I got the old sac off. Is this important for these button fillers? And can I use an Eversharp sized tube, or is it different, if I must replace?

[Ron Z]

Is there a hole in the top of the feed connecting the ink channel with the breather tube? I doubt that there is one. Its possible that someone put a Vac feed in the pen, but the breather tube on Challengers really is there for looks. If someone replaced the feed with a Vac feed that has the hole, then yes, you need the breather tube. If not, no.

[eharriett]

Is there a hole in the top of the feed connecting the ink channel with the breather tube? I doubt that there is one. Its possible that someone put a Vac feed in the pen, but the breather tube on Challengers really is there for looks. If someone replaced the feed with a Vac feed that has the hole, then yes, you need the breather tube. If not, no.

 

This is the top of the feed that was in the pen. If the feed was replaced, it would certainly explain why it was so off kilter and just plain looked wrong.

 

But looking at the inside, I'd swear no one has touched this pen for decades, so I am surprised if this feed was not the one intended to be in it. This is the top (minus what remains of the breather tube, of course).

 

[Ron Z]

Look in the middle of the channels running down the feed, maybe 1/4" from the inside end. Is there a hole going down into the feed?

[eharriett]

Look in the middle of the channels running down the feed, maybe 1/4" from the inside end. Is there a hole going down into the feed?

I do not think so. Do these pics help?

 

[Ron Z]

Yup. Just as I expected. The breather tube, as has been the case on all of the Challengers I've seen, is a dummy. It won't make any difference if you don't replace the breather tube. The Challenger has the clear window, and having a breather tube there fooled owners into thinking that the pen would hold more ink than a regular button filler.

 

The Vacumatics have a hole drilled down through the middle of the ink channel that intersects the hole in the end of the feed for the breather tube. That allows the air to go out, and ink to be drawn into the pen.

 

Now, keep this in mind.... If you need a nib for a Challenger, you can use a Vac feed. You don't need to block the hole if you leave a breather tube in. But you can also warm the tube over a heat gun, and then pinch it closed with pliers while hot to seal off the tube, and clip it off.

 

The inverse is true too - If you need a feed for a Vacumatic (and assuming its the same size) you can use the feed from a Challenger, or Streamlined Duofold Jr. All you need to do is to drill a small hole down into the one coming in from the end of the pen. Parker did the same thing with the Streamlined Duofold Sr pens. They drilled into the end of the pen, but not down from the ink channel. Need a feed for a Maxima? You can convert one. You can also convert a Vac style Duofold nib if it doesn't have the hole - drill straight in the end, and and a hole down. I've done this on a lathe

[eharriett]

Thank you! I shall reassemble this evening. See how my first button filler comes back together.

 

Also, there's no window in this one. I assume the more "deluxe" models had it.

[GlenV]

(Kinda see a window reflection?) I think some of the Parker Pen nibs are nice to write with with a little flex common

[Ron Z]

There was a window - its just stained and dark now. That's not uncommon. You can see the line between the "clear" and black parts, and some light coming through the ambered celluloid in your picture.

[eharriett]

[GlenV]

Way to go getting this one working again. Not only to experience a new nib from this age, but also to wonder when was the last time someone wrote with this, and who might that have been? Fun.

[Ron Z]

I do find myself thinking about that as I use or work on pens. I restored a blue cedar 51 this morning with a 3rd quarter 1942 date code. The summer that the Battle of Midway was fought, and major turns in WWII came. Who bought the pen, who use it? Did they write letters to home, or a husband or boyfriend on the front perhaps?

[eharriett]

I do find myself thinking about that as I use or work on pens. I restored a blue cedar 51 this morning with a 3rd quarter 1942 date code. The summer that the Battle of Midway was fought, and major turns in WWII came. Who bought the pen, who use it? Did they write letters to home, or a husband or boyfriend on the front perhaps?

 

I am the same way. When I flush and clear out a pen for the first time, I notice the ink and I wonder how long it was there and what type it was. It is almost always a blue or blue black. I saw my very first red in a pen clearing out my first Eversharp Symphony a few months ago. I think it fun to wonder about things like that.