Parker that looks like a 51?

[ToddPeperkorn]

I have a Parker I got off of eBay. It looks like a 51 Aerometric, but is not labeled such. It is green barreled, and on the outside of the cap has the word Corona on it. Any ideas?

[jar]

Picture would help but may not be a Parker.

[Laura N]

I agree on the picture.

You could also check parkercollector.com, which has information about all the models, and an identification guide here.

[ToddPeperkorn]

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[KrazyIvan]

It looks like my Parker 21.

[pajaro]

I think it's a 21 Super. Notice the thick clutch ring on the section, typical of a 21. "Corona" might be a personalization. It is interesting, and the pen looks great.

[carlc]

I agree probably a 21.

Best way to tell would be to take the hood off and look at the nib (straight nib as opposed to a tubular nib and no collector) - but if it is a 21 you don't want to do that as they can be prone to cracking.

21's are also lighter than 51's.

carl

[whych]

Corona used to make cigars I think. I have a Corona promotional pen and pencil set by Sheaffer.

[carlc]

Corona was a fizzy drink manufacturer in the UK (and yes there was the cigar company too) but promotional pens tend to be rather more brazen about it - that looks a bit too restrained.

[ToddPeperkorn]

Are Parker 21 doesn't have any markings that say it is a 21? Other than under the nib, that is.

It writes pretty well, actually. I have it with some Platinum Blue-Black right now and it seems to like it.

P

[nxn96]

The cap looks to be a Parker 51, but I think the rest of the pen is a Parker 21. Hard to say, based on the photos, but I think it could be the earlier series 21 as opposed to the later series Super 21. The "Press Three Times" suggests a 21, as the 51 was a "Press 6 times" and later "Press 4 Times". Based on the photo of the section/nib resting against the cap, it looks to be the wider 21 nib, and not the narrower (51-ish) Super 21 nib.

The "Corona" on the base of the cap? Can't say. Seems too subtle to be advertising, but it could be.

Hope this helps. Nice pen.

[whych]

@caric
Thanks for the history. Corona softdrinks were before I came here - I only knew the cigars.

The cap may not be a 21 cap then, but the rest of the pen is.

[carlc]

The cap looks to be a Parker 51, but I think the rest of the pen is a Parker 21. Hard to say, based on the photos, but I think it could be the earlier series 21 as opposed to the later series Super 21. The "Press Three Times" suggests a 21, as the 51 was a "Press 6 times" and later "Press 4 Times". Based on the photo of the section/nib resting against the cap, it looks to be the wider 21 nib, and not the narrower (51-ish) Super 21 nib.

The "Corona" on the base of the cap? Can't say. Seems too subtle to be advertising, but it could be.

Hope this helps. Nice pen.

I thought P51's were thicker pens? Thus wouldn't a P51 cap be very loose? Todpeperkorn - is that the case or is it a snug fit?

ETA: actually I think I'm getting mixed up with the 17 - anyone care to comment on barrel widths (I don't have a 21 only 51's and 17's).

[carlc]

@caric
Thanks for the history. Corona softdrinks were before I came here - I only knew the cigars.

Sorry - I was being silly - it's a Janesville pen so Corona the fizzy drink (to use a British colloquialism Corona 'Pop') isn't likely even if it were an advertising pen.

carlc

[whych]

caric
The 21 was never made in UK so it could have been a promotional pen. The 21 was the entry level Parker for a long time, so would have been a natural choice.

The 51 cap will fit the 21. The arrow clip on the 21 only came in with the 21 Super and the nib is not a super 21 nib.

I'm not really into collecting Parkers, but like most have dabbled a it in them because they are so plentiful in UK.

Whatever the reason for the cap mismatch, they are nice pens (21's) and that's all that counts if you want a good pen to carry around and use.

[carlc]

caric
The 21 was never made in UK so it could have been a promotional pen. The 21 was the entry level Parker for a long time, so would have been a natural choice.

The 51 cap will fit the 21. The arrow clip on the 21 only came in with the 21 Super and the nib is not a super 21 nib.

I'm not really into collecting Parkers, but like most have dabbled a it in them because they are so plentiful in UK.

Whatever the reason for the cap mismatch, they are nice pens (21's) and that's all that counts if you want a good pen to carry around and use.

Hi Whych

I know a good pen is a good pen but it's fun to play 'guess the pen' and it also helps build the FPG board 'knowledge' (content) - and mine to be honest.

You're right they weren't made in the UK (thank you for that - I didn't know) - but don't you think the P17 would have been a more likely choice for a UK firm?

The Arrow clip did come in with the Super (and apparently the caps from the 51 and the 21 Super are interchangeable) but according to Richard Binder's site the final version of the 21 (1960s) also had the arrow clip.

By the way I don't collect either (I'm an accumulator as opposed to a collector) and have never even seen a 21 in real life - I've always been put off by the spontaneous cracking. So the next question is - why don't the Parker 17 (and apparently the 21 Special) have the same reputation for cracking?

ToddPeperkorn: whatever it is I agree with Whych - enjoy your pen.

carl

[seffrican]

It looks like my Parker 21.

The U-shaped press bar over the sac definitely says Parker 21 and not 51.

As far as the rest of the speculations in the thread, keep it coming, I'm curious too.

[carlc]

It looks like my Parker 21.

The U-shaped press bar over the sac definitely says Parker 21 and not 51.

As far as the rest of the speculations in the thread, keep it coming, I'm curious too.

Unless it's a 51 Special or a later 51 Demi - but I believe they both usually have a "51" imprint on the filler and Demis are smaller than the standard 51 and the 21.

[whych]

carlc
The 17 only came out in 62.

The Super 21 gets hairline cracks in the section and you wonder wh your fingers get full of ink. The 17 used a different plastic.

Best place to find parker pens and a bit of history is:
http://parkercollector.com/

I don't think Parker ever did a really cheap 'School' pen like Sheaffer did. The old Sheaffer school pens were really well made and easy to clean. They were more reliable than the upmarket P45. I changed to using a Sheaffer school pen at university and never had a problem with it. The Parker 45 would leak into the cap in summer and would dry out and hav problems starting. Never had these problems with the Sheaffer.
Only thing with Sheaffers is their clips can wreak havoc on shirt pockets.

I'll see if I can dig out a P21 plain and super and post some pics.

[carlc]

Thanks Whych

I had read that the 17, 21 and 61 were all made from injection moulded polystyrene hence my question.

Pics would be great!