Parker Vacumatics with "59" Date Codes

[drathbun]

Hey, vintage Parker aficionados! 

 

I've restored several Parker Vacumatics from Mark 1 through Mark 3, but I've never seen date codes like this before.

 

I've attached some photos of the two pens I have just acquired. In the configuration, they are third-generation with celluloid plunger rods. But they both have a date code "59". Richard Binder's website says Parker used the first number 5 to indicate 195x, and the second number is the year. So these are third-generation Parker Vacumatics from 1959? That's a full 11 years after the model was discontinued!

 

Plus, look at the blue diamond clips. They are not typical. It looks like they've taken vintage split arrow clips that had no diamond, and stamped a diamond on top. I've added a photo of a genuine blue diamond clip from 1944.

 

I removed one of the nibs, and there is no date code stamped into it. Everything looks genuine, but I'm stumped as to the provenance of these two pens!

 

Any insights?

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Doug

 

EDIT: I added an image of the nib cleaned up and straightened (it was totally bent).

Edited December 31, 2024 by drathbun
Added image

[FarmBoy]

It is called a punched diamond clip. More or less expected on a funky date code pen. 
 

Someday I’ll write an article on what these are about. 
 

 

 

[jchch1950]

We will be waiting for your article. It will help to dispel many doubts or misinformation,

[joss]

There still seems to be no conclusive answer to this question that was asked quite a few times before (see for instance this 2010 thread).

 

If we accept that we have only speculation and doubt, which is not necessarily the same as misinformation, then can we discuss whether: 

- a barrel with a date code from the late 1950s (and a USA imprint, leaving Canadian Vacumatics from the 1950s out of the discussion) could be a replacement barrel from a repair carried out at the Parker factory and date coded there at the time of repair?

- a punched clip could be a replacement for a Blue Diamond clip that was obsolete at the time of repair, meaning that the pen would still be covered by the original warranty, associated with the blue diamond?

[Beechwood]

The latest date code that I have seen is 65 which I took at face value as 1965 and I assumed that it was stamped at the repair shop on a blank barrel.

 

I sold a 53 Made in Canada Vac to a Canadian politician with a birth year of 1953.

 

Your pen looks very smart Doug.

[inkstainedruth]

Interesting thread.  I've never seen a date code like that.  I do have a couple of 51 Vacs (both black ones) that have the "T6" date code on them, and the recently acquired Cordorvan Brown 51 Vac appears to have a "T7" date code on it.  But never one with a "59" date code on it.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

 

[FarmBoy]

T6 and T7 are well understood. 
 

you will not see a 59 date code on a 51. 

[drathbun]

13 hours ago, FarmBoy said:

It is called a punched diamond clip. More or less expected on a funky date code pen. 
 

Someday I’ll write an article on what these are about. 
 

 

 

I'll be interested in the details as I will restore both of these pens in the next few weeks and document my results on my YouTube channel. Any info you can provide will be most appreciated and of terrific value and interest.

[drathbun]

10 hours ago, joss said:

There still seems to be no conclusive answer to this question that was asked quite a few times before (see for instance this 2010 thread).

 

If we accept that we have only speculation and doubt, which is not necessarily the same as misinformation, then can we discuss whether: 

- a barrel with a date code from the late 1950s (and a USA imprint, leaving Canadian Vacumatics from the 1950s out of the discussion) could be a replacement barrel from a repair carried out at the Parker factory and date coded there at the time of repair?

- a punched clip could be a replacement for a Blue Diamond clip that was obsolete at the time of repair, meaning that the pen would still be covered by the original warranty, associated with the blue diamond?

Thanks for this. 

 

What I find fascinating, not to mention, head-scratching, is how two almost identical PVac 3rd Gen both with date stamps of "59" could be discovered together like this. The sellers said they were from an estate auction, so they belonged to one individual. Could both have been sent for repair/replacement barrels at the same time? And how likely is it they both have "punched diamond" clips?

 

I have already repaired the damaged nib, which is shown in the OP. But I thought I'd show what it looked like before the repair with attached photos here.

[Paul-in-SF]

@drathbun, is the last photo the same nib as the previous two? The tines look noticeably shorter, is that what you had to do to repair the nib, or is that an artifact of the photos? 

[drathbun]

21 minutes ago, Paul-in-SF said:

@drathbun, is the last photo the same nib as the previous two? The tines look noticeably shorter, is that what you had to do to repair the nib, or is that an artifact of the photos? 

@Paul-in-SF It is probably just the angle of the photos. They are of the same nib before and after repair/polish.

[mitto]

7 hours ago, FarmBoy said:

T6 and T7 are well understood. 
 

you will not see a 59 date code on a 51. 

A few days ago I restored a English 51 with 1959 date code on the nib. And I remember I have a few more English 51s with that date code. 

[FarmBoy]

3 hours ago, mitto said:

A few days ago I restored an English 51 with 1959 date code on the nib. And I remember I have a few more English 51s with that date code. 

But not a date code on the barrel. 

[drathbun]

7 hours ago, mitto said:

A few days ago I restored a English 51 with 1959 date code on the nib. And I remember I have a few more English 51s with that date code. 

I know that Parker UK, Canada, and Australia continued to produce Vacumatics well past 1948. However, I was unaware that Parker USA made them into the late 1950s. I think these must have been old stock barrels and nibs that were either produced in Janesville or the parts were sold to other plants. It is certainly odd.

[baz666]

 

I have two late Canadian Vacumatics, both have punched diamond clips.
My understanding is that originally, the diamonds on these clips were not adorned with blue paint.

 

 

 

 

 

[drathbun]

5 hours ago, baz666 said:

 

I have two late Canadian Vacumatics, both have punched diamond clips.
My understanding is that originally, the diamonds on these clips were not adorned with blue paint.

 

 

 

 

 

Beautiful! What are the date codes on the barrels?

[baz666]

17 hours ago, drathbun said:

Beautiful! What are the date codes on the barrels?

 

Thank you. The top pen is dated 52 (plus 3 dots) and is fitted with a .57 nib,
The bottom pen is dated 51 (no dots) and is fitted with a 51. nib.