Filling Mechanism: Vacuum Filler

Parker 51 fountain pens are the corner stone of any vintage pen collection. This is likely a married combination. While there are plenty of black 51s with gold-filled caps, as best we know the gold-filled caps with amber jewels only went with the cordovan-color pens. This pen is in great working order, but it has its share of wear and scratches. We restored it with a new diaphragm. Clearly this was someone's well-loved writing companion. You will write a very nice, smooth fine line with its 14k gold nib. This pen is 80 years old according to its 3rd quarter date code from 1944. 14.3cm capped.

In the second quarter of 1942, the United States was getting its tail kicked pretty hard around the Pacific and U-boats were making a mess of our shipping efforts in the Atlantic. Nevertheless, this Parker Duofold was made and has persevered ever since. We found it in a well-cared for collection in good working order, so we didn't replace the diaphragm. Its blue-and-grey stripes really stand out as an art deco beauty. The pocket clip and clip ring are pretty chewed up, but the celluloid is in very good shape. Nice aluminum speedline filler. You will write a smooth medium line with its 14k gold nib. Slightly smaller and more slender than some Duofolds. 12.3cm capped.

As World War II came to a close, the Parker Pen Company wanted to mark the occasion. As such, this 1945 Parker Duofold was fitted with a 14k gold "Victory" nib. Click the headline to see the large "V" imprint. We restored this vintage pen with a new diaphragm. Showing only a little wear from use, we think this blue-and-grey art deco pen is still a handsome edition. No cracks or deep scratches. There's a little ring around the tail, where the cap posted. You will write a smooth, fine line with its special nib. This is the larger size version of the pen at 13.6cm capped.

Golden Pearl is always one of our favorite Parker Vacumatic colors. This Parker Vacumatic Debutant set looks stunning. The vintage pen is fully restored with a new diaphragm, and the cap and barrel sport minimal wear from use. No brassing, but the barrel is a bit ambered. The dating on this set is great, as it was made on the cusp of 1939. The barrel imprint on the pen says 1st quarter 1939. The two-tone 14k gold nib sports a 1938 date. And the working clicker pencil has a Q4 1938 date code. You will write a nice medium line with the nib, by the way. Remember, the Debutants are the smallest of the Vac models. Pen measures 12cm capped.

We don't get many Onoto de la Rue pens on this site. This old black hard rubber pen is a bit of a mystery. We think this vintage pen has an early version of the plunger vacuum filler...similar to what Sheaffer began using in its Vac-fil technology. Our pen is unrestored and not working to fill the pen. No cracks nor deep scratches. Lots of wear from use. The pin strips on the cap and barrel are mostly gone. The two decorative bands on this pen are solid 18k gold. We dipped the 14k gold nib and found it just barely counts as a semi-flex nib working from extra fine to about broad. Don't smush the slip cap on too hard because you will break the slightly too long nib. Click the headline for close-ups. 14.5cm capped.

Due to their unique filling systems, Parker Vacumatics remain a perennial favorite for us. We restored this World War II era vintage pen with a new ink sac and really went to town wet-sanding it to restore its factory luster. No cracks. No brassing. No deep scratches. The only imperfection is an impression on the cap where the pocket clip dug into the celluloid. The blind cap aligns with the barrel about 99% of the way it should. You will write a wet, fine line with its 14k gold nib. The lighter your touch as a writer the less feedback you will feel. We can get it to be almost feedback free, but if you are more heavy handed you will feel a little more. Made in 1944, this one is a beaut that should work well for decades to come. Click the headline for close-ups. 12.8cm capped.

Persian blue is one of our Sheaffer favorites. This Sheaffer Sentinel is an especially attractive vintage pen. The vacuum-fil filling system has been restored and works well. However, we are noticing an issue with it as it writes. The firm extra-fine 14k gold nib writes nicely, but it seems to deposit a little blob of ink every couple words. There is a dent on the right side of the cap, too. The rest of the pen looks fine with a little wear from use. This pen sports its White Dot on the tip of the blind cap! Really neat feature. 12.7cm capped.

The original Sheaffer Valiant came with a vacuum-fil filler system. The color is a rarer umber brown. There is a little light wear from use. There is no brassing, no cracks or deep scratches. You can see in the photo that the cap pushed a little of the softer barrel plastic back where it closes. This vintage pen was restored by the great Sherrell Tyree, who is a renowned Sheaffer expert. You will write a smooth fine-medium line with its two-tone 14k gold Triumph nib. Oh, and it has nice ink-view window clarity. Click the headline for close-ups. Wide bodied and 13.3cm capped.