Parker Parkette Junior (1938) variant?

[gmark_wa]

The black rounded base on this Parker Parkette Junior is larger that those that I have seen on other similar Junior models.  The black part is approximately 10 mm (3/8 inch) long.  Is this a common variation?

 

The steel nib has the date code ‘.8.’ indicating first quarter of 1938.  The barrel inscription has the date code ‘8.’ Indicating third quarter of 1938.

[joss]

Can the black end piece be unscrewed from the barrel, eg to accommodate a desk taper?

The pen looks quite chunky.

[gmark_wa]

2 hours ago, joss said:

Can the black end piece be unscrewed from the barrel, eg to accommodate a desk taper?

The pen looks quite chunky.

It may well be a desk pen.  I tried to unscrew the black base, but I can't move it.  However, I can see a metal (? aluminium) fitting in the bottom of the barrel that could be the desk taper attachment (see photo).

 

The barrel is about 10.2 mm (0.5 inch) wide at its widest point.

 

[joss]

If the end piece can not be readily released I would not force it. The barrel top of your pen is very tapered and in fact it would look a bit odd if the black end piece was replaced by a long desk pen taper.

I have this previous version of the Parkette with removable blind cap, but the barrel top of this version curves only slightly so that it lines up properly with a long taper. The blind cap threads are also not metal but an integral part of the barrel: