Help IDing a Parker 51 / Parker 51 Special

[sadbread]

Hello all,

 

Did my best preliminary research trying to find out what Parker pen I have here and wanted to verify and get your opinions or thoughts! Seems like I might have a Parker 51 but the aerometric inside has etchings calling it a Special which is confusing me.

 

I think it is a Navy Gray Parker 51, likely 1960s. Why the engraved "Special" inside? Is the cap from a 51 and capping a Special?

 

Filler: Aerometric (1948-), engraved with "Parker 51 Special", instructions to squeeze 4 times

Cap: looks like Lustraloy, with pearlescent jewel (not black like the Specials)

Cap engraved "Parker 51" with no date markers (1953-)

Color: Navy Gray

Body: breather hole on the side (1960-)

 

Thanks for looking at my new to me pen!

 

Ink note: Already got Waterman ink for it as I heard Iroshizuku inks might feather hard in these after a while due to evaporation. Let me know if that's off base.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[IThinkIHaveAProblem]

Later specials had the frosted cap, pearlescent jewel and gold nib. But the special filler. They were called the standard

 

 

this is from page 55 of the shepherd book

 

 

wrt your ink concerns: the pen doesn’t make ink feather. The ink and paper do. And evaporation in a “51” is minimal. The entire pen was designed to minimize evaporation. 
 

enjoy your amazing pen   

[sadbread]

Too cool!  Didn't come across the "51 Standard" while searching and this certainly looks like this must be it!  Thank you IthinkIHaveAProblem and will make sure I have good ink and good paper to go with my new to me 51 Standard.  

[IThinkIHaveAProblem]

Happy to help

 

”51”s are great pens. Especially aero metrics from the 60’s.  My best/fav one is a mint burgundy Standard.