What Vacumatic Is This?

[oliverob]

If someone could tell me what model this is, I will pester no further.

It is about 5 5/16" capped, and 6 5/8 posted.

Oh, and what does the 'A' on the feed stand for?

 

[dhanks]

It's a Maxima, the so-called Blue Max.  But I don't know what the "A" on the feed means.

 

Rumpole

[joss]

The 1941 double jewel Vacumatic still had a fat cap band. So from the narrow cap band, the 8 (not 9) feather nib and the rather slender girth of this pen I would say that it is a Major but not a Maxima. Is there a date code on the nib? It may originally have been a two tone nib.

 

The exact meaning of the feed's "A" imprint is still under debate as far as I know, it has been suggested that it may stand for "accountant":

www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/253439-a-marking-on-vacumatic-feed/

www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/112149-vacumatic-feeds/

 

 

[PAKMAN]

My understanding it the A on feeds stands for Accounting Fine. Azure blue it think is the color name of the pen. Mine is a single jewel Major. I haven't come across a double jewel. That is beautiful!

 

[inkstainedruth]

Very nice!  Azure Blue Pearl is my favorite color of Vacumatics, and the only color I have two of (a 3rd Generation Sub-Debutante, and a 2nd Generation one which I *think* is a Slender (I can't keep track of all the sizes and models of Vacs).  Is yours a Second Generation Speedline filler (metal plunger) or a Third Generation one (with with the plastic plunger) -- I'm not sure quite when the 3rd Gen models come in, beyond "during WWII".

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[oliverob]

The pen has a plastic plunger rod, but from what I understand from an earlier post of mine, it is a replacement, given that 1941 Vacumatics had aluminum ones.  It seems quite possible that along with the filling assembly, the nib was replaced as well, and the original was two-toned. It certainly makes sense, in any event, that the nib would be an 'accountant' given the extra fine line it lays down. As to the model, I remain confused. Are there double-jeweled Majors of the length of this pen?

[joss]

The 1941 DJ Maxima has a comparable length as the 1941 DJ (Long) Major, varying between 132 and 135 mm. Because nibs can be replaced, it is the width of the cap, the width of the barrel in addition to the height of the cap band that should clearly differentiate these two 1941 DJ models.

These are the metric dimensions of the two models: 

 

- height of the cap band: 5 mm for the Maxima vs 4 mm for the Major

- outer diameter of cap measured at the cap band: 15 mm for the Maxima vs 14 mm for the Major

- outer diameter of the barrel measured immediately below the cap: 12 mm for the Maxima vs 11.5 mm for the Major

 

The differences may appear minor but if you place both versions side by side they are really clear.

 

[joss]

Here is a picture of a blue 1941 DJ (Long) Major:

https://imgur.com/a/jFjsRYB

and a blue 1941 DJ Maxima:

https://www.vintagefountainpens.co.uk/ourshop/prod_6767642-8892-Parker-Vacumatic-Blue-Diamond-Maxima-Fountain-Pen-in-Azure-Blue-Extra-Fine-FIVE-STAR-Nib.html

 

Notice the overall more slender appearance of the Major and the wider cap band on the Maxima.

[oliverob]

Thank you, Joss, for all the very kind, useful, and detailed information. I will follow your instructions and measure accordingly.

Thanks to everyone else as well. Though I haven't taken the measurements yet, I am leaning toward the designation of Major as has been severally suggested.

I am seventy-five years old and in the lengthy and laborious process of divesting myself of a very large, disorganized pen collection hopefully before my demise, rather than leave it to my heirs, who have no interest whatsoever in fountain pens. My aim is to present the pens as accurately as I can when putting them on eBay. I want them to find good homes, and avoid misleading anyone as to what they might be getting. Thank you all for helping me in the process.

[oliverob]

It's a long Major, ostensibly with a replacement filling mechanism and nib.

Again, thanks to all!

Oliver

[Brian-McQueen]

It is definitely a Major, not a Maxima.  Azure Pearl is the color.