The "51" Special was released as a way of penetrating the market
further with its phenomenally popular "51".
It's special because the point is made not of gold, but
of octanium, an alloy developed by Parker specifically for pen points.
It's not steel. It's Octanium™! The practical
differences between the "51" and the Special are very few. There
is a hint more flexibility to the gold point than the octanium, but as
the former is extremely stiff anyway, it doesn't make a huge impression
on the writing. There's less metal involved in the
aerometric filler's mechanism, which I guess is also special.
This pen shows the joys and perils of hunting pens in the wild.
It is, too look at, a perfectly fine example of the lesser
version of Parker's heavy hitter, and well worth the ten dollars one
might be asked for it at a flea market. However, closer
inspection (closer than my camera was willing to offer) shows that one
of the nibs is broken off. This rendered the item in question a
non-pen until a replacement part could be had, and also demands a
vexing
effort to dismantle the pen. Why will people not look after their
pens? Update: I've
now replaced the point, but in deference to the pen's original state
and my own urge to encourage people to care for their posessions, I'm
leaving the preceding paragraph and the picture alone.
Dating of this pen is a little tricky. It has no sign of a barrel
impression, which puts it post-1952 or so, when Parker apparently
decided to give up on the delightful practice of marking their pens
with date-codes. The squared-off clutch-ring makes it a
pre-1969 pen, when the shape of that part was amended (as on this
pen). The font of information regarding the "51" here
doesn't indicate whether all the cues for dating apply to the Special,
so I can't be firm in calling it a 1964 model based on the lack of a
band-like lip around the cap (lost in 1964) and lack of model
number on the cap (started in 1965). Likely post-1963, at any
rate.
Specifications: Looks like it was a medium or broad point,
replacement is fine. Aerometric filler. 13.7cm long capped, 15.2cm capped.
Condition: Light wear on the body and cap. The cap
has an
unfortunately popular problem for the steel-cap "51"-- a little
wipe-mark polished onto the metal by the clip.
Repairs: Dismantled
hood to replace point, cleaned interior
spaces while at it and replaced o-ring seal on hood joint.
Polished barrel, reducing appearance of wear substantially.
Replaced sac with one from taken out of a donor "51", which is
slightly less stained and more importantly doesn't have a vexing
pin-hole in it.
Location: Winkler, Manitoba. Sold for $30.00
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