The 45 was introduced in 1960. The name is apparently another
play on the general interest of pen-makers in connecting cartridge-fed
pens with firearms. It was (probably) the first pen to have a
removable converter, a situation which is now almost the norm for mid-
to high-end fountain pens (edit:
it appears that the concept of a removable converter was under
development by Eversharp when
that company was bought up by Parker). The lines, somewhat
similar to
Waterman's C/F, are quite resistant
to the passage of time, and it wasn't until 2006 that Parker gave up on
production. The materials are quite durable, too, making it a
better value than the "21", for which in some trim levels it
was a replacement.
Another interesting aspect for the 45 was the interchangible point. This was not an
innovation as such, since Esterbrook
and Sheaffer had done it previously, but in a semi-hooded point like
this it was unheard of. From the standpoint of maintenance,
it makes the pen a good deal easier to clean than, let us say, a "51" or a "21", although it's nigh-impossible to
get at the collector.
I can't say when this pen was made, exactly. I believe that
the presence of the model number on the cap was something which did not
appear until after 1965, but that aside, I can't find any reliable
dating pointers. The sac in the convertor is very supple, which
gives some inclination towards a newer rather than older version.
I find is a slightly less reliable writer than the "21", but only
slightly. The advantage to the 45 is that there's a zillion of
them in circulation, so if you want to try one, it's not too hard to
find one.
Specifications: Fine
14K point (the hallmark is hidden, but the point unit comes apart
easily). Came with aerometric convertor, accepts
current Parker cartridges. 13.6cm long capped, 14.3cm posted.
Condition: Body
plastic in good shape-- there are some small scuffs, but the body
presents itself as shiny to the idle observer. The cap likewise
has small wear to offer close scrutiny
Repairs:
Some fiddling with a point bent out of shape by a previous user.
Location: My collection.
For sale:
Not this one-- I have another, earlier model with silver-tone
trim and a fine steel point which I'll sell for $23.00. You can
also try eBay, as there's usually a shoal of them available there.
To contact me, write to:
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