Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 21

Thread: Parker 51 or what?

  1. #1
    Member
    Join Date
    May 2018
    Posts
    70
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked 40 Times in 22 Posts
    Rep Power
    6

    Default Parker 51 or what?

    Hi,

    Any ideas of what this might be?

    I first thought that it was a Parker 51, but then those never had ink windows. Only the Chinese did that, but then it doesn't look like the usual knock-offs - weird clip, cap with inclined top, the piston's handle, the pattern.

    Thanks!

    Alex

    parker-51-or-what.png

  2. #2
    Senior Member Linkinyeah's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2016
    Posts
    598
    Thanks
    120
    Thanked 65 Times in 43 Posts
    Rep Power
    8

    Default Re: Parker 51 or what?

    Looks interesting. I have never seen one like it. My gut says knock off, but I am certainly not a authority. I didn't see any Parker name anywhere. Is there one?


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  3. #3
    Senior Member INeedAFinancialAdvisor's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2019
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    636
    Thanks
    882
    Thanked 671 Times in 277 Posts
    Rep Power
    6

    Default Re: Parker 51 or what?

    my guess is Chinese copy of some variation.

    Not a parker.

    but it is neat!

    how does it write?

    EDIT: better answer/link on FPN.
    Last edited by INeedAFinancialAdvisor; June 28th, 2020 at 08:43 PM.

  4. #4
    Member
    Join Date
    May 2018
    Posts
    70
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked 40 Times in 22 Posts
    Rep Power
    6

    Default Re: Parker 51 or what?

    After scouring the web a bit more, my gut also said "knock-off."

    Turns out, as someone mentioned in FPN, that it's an Italian knock-off.

    I don't have it, but was contemplating spending about $50 on it, purely because it looked quite interesting, even though I'm no fan of the 51.

    Thanks!

    alex

  5. #5
    Senior Member Linkinyeah's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2016
    Posts
    598
    Thanks
    120
    Thanked 65 Times in 43 Posts
    Rep Power
    8

    Default Re: Parker 51 or what?

    How can you be no fan of the 51? Classic and durable.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  6. The Following User Says Thank You to Linkinyeah For This Useful Post:

    welch (June 29th, 2020)

  7. #6
    Senior Member INeedAFinancialAdvisor's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2019
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    636
    Thanks
    882
    Thanked 671 Times in 277 Posts
    Rep Power
    6

    Default Re: Parker 51 or what?

    Quote Originally Posted by Linkinyeah View Post
    How can you be no fan of the 51? Classic and durable.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    SHHH!!! less people bidding on them keeps the prices lower! :P

  8. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to INeedAFinancialAdvisor For This Useful Post:

    azkid (July 2nd, 2020), Casual_lurker (July 18th, 2020)

  9. #7
    FPG Donor ♕ Chrissy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    United Kingdom
    Posts
    11,400
    Thanks
    6,872
    Thanked 10,361 Times in 3,977 Posts
    Rep Power
    24

    Default Re: Parker 51 or what?

    I'm no fan of Parker 51 pens either but that pen definitely comes under your category of "or what" as it's no Parker 51.

    It's got what looks like a decent piston action filling system that looks like it might be easy to clean and to hold plenty of ink that you can actually see so you know whether it might be running low or not.

    Is it really an Italian knock-off? Or maybe an Italian pen married with a knock-off cap?

    I really like the look of it apart from the fact that the cap looks like it's gold plated so the chrome plated band and trim around the section don't match that. However, I could forgive it that.
    Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens

  10. #8
    Senior Member Deb's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Highlands of Scotland
    Posts
    1,747
    Thanks
    2,347
    Thanked 1,927 Times in 842 Posts
    Rep Power
    12

    Default Re: Parker 51 or what?

    That looks like a syringe filler to me and modern-ish examples of that system are usually Italian.
    Regards,
    Deb
    My Blog

  11. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Deb For This Useful Post:

    Chrissy (June 29th, 2020), Scrawler (June 30th, 2020)

  12. #9
    Senior Member Johnny_S's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2020
    Posts
    112
    Thanks
    31
    Thanked 73 Times in 46 Posts
    Rep Power
    4

    Default Re: Parker 51 or what?

    A syringe filled pen made in Italy during the mid 60s. Filling system could be very stiff, plastics were prone to cracking. Caps had a nylon lining that often became detached. Pen was sold in tabacs and newsagents for the equivalent of 2 euros, All the nibs I saw were EF or F. Better Italian made examples of this period was a brand called Universal which had better plastics.

    Pen is of novelty interest.

    OP suggests a value of up to $50, personally I would certainly lose the zero from that figure and maybe even the 5.
    Last edited by Johnny_S; June 29th, 2020 at 02:34 AM.

  13. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Johnny_S For This Useful Post:

    Chrissy (June 29th, 2020), Deb (June 29th, 2020)

  14. #10
    Senior Member grainweevil's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Location
    Cornwall, UK
    Posts
    1,572
    Thanks
    269
    Thanked 885 Times in 461 Posts
    Rep Power
    12

    Default Re: Parker 51 or what?

    Yep, the good old Italian syringe filler. They must have made them by the lorry load because they're everywhere, and dozens of different variations. Not long back someone asked about the Primavera AA, which is one example that's been floating around a lot on eBay. Wouldn't exactly call them a "knock off" though. I mean they're not really trying to emulate any one model and have a unique flavour of their own which makes them instantly recognisable (once you have your eye in).

    As Johnny sez, don't spend $50 on it. Unless you're really consumed by curiosity I wouldn't spend anything on it, to be honest. But they have a distressing habit of turning up here at Weevil Burrows whether I want them to or not, so my curiosity is well catered.
    In the words of Paul Simon, you can call me Al.

  15. The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to grainweevil For This Useful Post:

    Deb (June 29th, 2020), Johnny_S (June 29th, 2020), Scrawler (June 30th, 2020), welch (June 29th, 2020)

  16. #11
    Senior Member Deb's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Highlands of Scotland
    Posts
    1,747
    Thanks
    2,347
    Thanked 1,927 Times in 842 Posts
    Rep Power
    12

    Default Re: Parker 51 or what?

    Well covered by Johnny_S and grainweevil! This is one of the better-looking examples, I must say, but as above, I would put a very low price on it. Not a knock-off of anything as there's nothing that looks like that! I've had Primavera AAs which turned up in auction lots. They usually worked and wrote quite well. There was a time when Italy provided what China does today: very cheap pens of variable quality. Unlike China they produced very high quality expensive pens too.
    Regards,
    Deb
    My Blog

  17. #12
    Senior Member Scrawler's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    1,263
    Thanks
    1,818
    Thanked 1,254 Times in 562 Posts
    Rep Power
    13

    Default Re: Parker 51 or what?

    Quote Originally Posted by grainweevil View Post
    Yep, the good old Italian syringe filler. They must have made them by the lorry load because they're everywhere, and dozens of different variations. Not long back someone asked about the Primavera AA, which is one example that's been floating around a lot on eBay. Wouldn't exactly call them a "knock off" though. I mean they're not really trying to emulate any one model and have a unique flavour of their own which makes them instantly recognisable (once you have your eye in).

    As Johnny sez, don't spend $50 on it. Unless you're really consumed by curiosity I wouldn't spend anything on it, to be honest. But they have a distressing habit of turning up here at Weevil Burrows whether I want them to or not, so my curiosity is well catered.
    There was a time in the 1960s and 1970s before the rise of China as the source of cheap pens, when anyone wanting masses of inexpensive pens they went to Italy to do their shopping.

    This is an unused example made as a fund raiser for Warwickshire Cricket Club sometime beginning the 1970s. If you are truly consumed with curiosity contact me.

    italian_job.jpg

  18. The Following User Says Thank You to Scrawler For This Useful Post:

    grainweevil (July 1st, 2020)

  19. #13
    Member
    Join Date
    May 2018
    Posts
    70
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked 40 Times in 22 Posts
    Rep Power
    6

    Default Re: Parker 51 or what?

    Quote Originally Posted by Linkinyeah View Post
    How can you be no fan of the 51? Classic and durable.
    I dunno. I tried one years ago and it was a very good writer, but invisible nibs don't do it for me. Seeing the nib actually leaving a trail of ink as it moves across the paper is one of my favorite things.

    The 51 series is comparable (if not the same) in complexity to the 75. Being fixated on 2 pens (45 and 75) is already proving more than I can handle. :-)

    Alex

  20. #14
    Senior Member grainweevil's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Location
    Cornwall, UK
    Posts
    1,572
    Thanks
    269
    Thanked 885 Times in 461 Posts
    Rep Power
    12

    Default Re: Parker 51 or what?

    Quote Originally Posted by Scrawler View Post
    There was a time in the 1960s and 1970s before the rise of China as the source of cheap pens, when anyone wanting masses of inexpensive pens they went to Italy to do their shopping.

    This is an unused example made as a fund raiser for Warwickshire Cricket Club sometime beginning the 1970s. If you are truly consumed with curiosity contact me.

    italian_job.jpg
    In 2004 Warwickshire CCC famously ordered a batch of mugs to celebrate spinner Ashley Giles' testimonial year, which proudly described him not as the King of Spin, but the King of Spain. Evidently they have history for lousy club-related merchandise.
    Last edited by grainweevil; July 1st, 2020 at 02:19 AM. Reason: Wrong year
    In the words of Paul Simon, you can call me Al.

  21. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to grainweevil For This Useful Post:

    Deb (July 1st, 2020), Scrawler (July 1st, 2020)

  22. #15
    FPG Donor ♕ Chrissy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    United Kingdom
    Posts
    11,400
    Thanks
    6,872
    Thanked 10,361 Times in 3,977 Posts
    Rep Power
    24

    Default Re: Parker 51 or what?

    Is it just me? I actually really like the look of this pen......
    Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens

  23. The Following User Says Thank You to Chrissy For This Useful Post:

    Sailor Kenshin (July 1st, 2020)

  24. #16
    Senior Member Deb's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Highlands of Scotland
    Posts
    1,747
    Thanks
    2,347
    Thanked 1,927 Times in 842 Posts
    Rep Power
    12

    Default Re: Parker 51 or what?

    Not just you, Chrissy. I think it's quite stylish for a hooded nib pen.
    Regards,
    Deb
    My Blog

  25. #17
    FPG Donor ♕ Chrissy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    United Kingdom
    Posts
    11,400
    Thanks
    6,872
    Thanked 10,361 Times in 3,977 Posts
    Rep Power
    24

    Default Re: Parker 51 or what?

    Quote Originally Posted by Deb View Post
    Not just you, Chrissy. I think it's quite stylish for a hooded nib pen.
    That's a relief. LOL. I love the idea that it has this easy filling system.
    Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens

  26. #18
    Senior Member grainweevil's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Location
    Cornwall, UK
    Posts
    1,572
    Thanks
    269
    Thanked 885 Times in 461 Posts
    Rep Power
    12

    Default Re: Parker 51 or what?

    Oh, they look okay, I agree. Even the "cap swapped in from another pen" appearance has a certain charm. But in the flesh, the cheap value for money construction sadly lets most of them down. Some are better than others though; compare Alex's example and Warwickshire CCC's and you can clearly see one is more "deluxe" than the other.
    In the words of Paul Simon, you can call me Al.

  27. The Following User Says Thank You to grainweevil For This Useful Post:

    Scrawler (July 1st, 2020)

  28. #19
    Senior Member Scrawler's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    1,263
    Thanks
    1,818
    Thanked 1,254 Times in 562 Posts
    Rep Power
    13

    Default Re: Parker 51 or what?

    Quote Originally Posted by Chrissy View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Deb View Post
    Not just you, Chrissy. I think it's quite stylish for a hooded nib pen.
    That's a relief. LOL. I love the idea that it has this easy filling system.
    These fillers can be sticky and you have to carefully control the pull at one end and push at the other to avoid accidentally jamming the nib into the bottom of the bottle.

  29. #20
    Senior Member Johnny_S's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2020
    Posts
    112
    Thanks
    31
    Thanked 73 Times in 46 Posts
    Rep Power
    4

    Default Re: Parker 51 or what?

    These pens were not good at all. They were the pen equivalent of a Fiat, made to a price and not to a standard. I used a couple of them as a schoolboy and they were just nasty, we talk about flex pens now meaning the nibs, these pens had flex caps, pull them off a little too quickly and they became egg shaped. The metalwork on the section moved around and was not flush to the section, the filler had a will of its own, woe betide you if you just wanted it half full. As Scrawler suggests, imagine you are filling the pen, holding it in your left hand, nib in the ink, you pull up the filler, it sticks, you pull harder and suddenly it fills, the nib hits the bottom of the bottle and your are lucky if you don't receive a polka dot complexion or ink dots on your school shirt.

    Exploded view



    The factory produced an all plastic version in the 1970s, you can still find them boxed and new on ebay.it

    Last edited by Johnny_S; July 1st, 2020 at 10:05 AM.
    Don't bother telling me what to do, say or think because I will do the opposite

  30. The Following User Says Thank You to Johnny_S For This Useful Post:

    Scrawler (July 1st, 2020)

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •