PA3742 Parker 51 Special. (Medium)

PA3742 Parker 51 Special. (Medium)

Date: c1950s

Size: Capped - 135mm; posted - 147mm.

The '51 Special was a budget version of the Parker 51.  The main difference is the fitting of an Octanium nib instead of a gold nib.  This glossy India Black example is still in good condition.  The only damage I can find on it is some scuffing and scratching to the hood, mainly adjacent to the clutch ring, and it was probably caused by the cap clutch.  I have seen similar damage on pens where the cap has been twisted off instead of pulled off straight.    The cap has s nice grey jewel, frosted body and chrome plated Parker arrow pocket clip.  The imprint is at the cap lip.  It says "PARKER" at the front and "MADE IN USA" around the back.  The barrel unscrews to reveal the Aerometric filler, which is open in the Special pen.  The original Pliglass ink sac is still present and still nice and supple, with only minor blue colour casting.  This pen is fitted with its originsl Octanium nib in a fine point. 

I have fully serviced this pen.  The nib writes smoothly as a Parker 51 should.  It lays down an excellent, wet and consistent fine-width line.