Although I’m not specifically collecting Parker pens [*], I have an association in my mind with this design being a “real pen”, the ubiquitous fountain pen. That made me want to try one, perhaps as a baseline of expectation. I used to see these in use by men of my grandfather’s generation, and we also had brightly colored versions of these in school in our penmanship class. So I found this example on eBay at a bargain price and cleaned it up for daily use.
The Parker 45, introduced in 1960, had an incredible run, lasting until 2008 with basically the same parts. There were some upscale versions, like the all-metal Flighter and the very fancy Harlequin, but most were plastic bodied pens aimed at the school and office mass market. The original design with the plastic barrel and brushed stainless-look cap, like I have here, remained popular for 20 years. With the gold-tone clip, screw and mid band, mine might be listed as a 45 GT (gold trim) and this one was an early model, definitely pre-1970 and probably circa 1963.
For a sixty year-old pen, this thing writes very nicely. The tip seems a funny shape, but it is a comfortable writer in a standard pen hold. I don’t like the feel un-posted, but posted it is weighted great. I would not call it one of the more comfortable in my collection for long writing sessions, but it is about right for a letter or a homework assignment in penmanship.
The real accomplishment of this pen is the standardized cartridge / converter setup. The huge Parker cartridge that was pioneered with this pen is still readily available and delivers over two ML of Quink general purpose ink. The converters are everywhere, as well.
I won’t go into any further detail about the pen, but there is a website with enormous detail on the 45 in all of its variations, including information to help you identify your version and to date most of them as well. Check it out at https://parker45pens.com/, but leave yourself some time. You’ll want to explore this site, and I’m sure you’ll find one or two (or a dozen) you’d like to add to your stable.
[*] Yes, well. That was true at the time I wrote this. My, how things change. With a little more exposure to the Parker 45, I found it so attractive, so functional, so rich in variation and history, I started accumulating variations. And now, I have to look in the mirror and tell myself, “Either you are collecting Parker 45 pens, or you have a serious brain disorder.” Therefore, I am now writing a big article on collecting the Parker 45. I’ll link it here when published.