The Parker 51 was one of the most successful fountain pen designs in history.
The Parker "51" fountain pen was created in 1939 to celebrated the fifty-first anniversary of the Parker Pen Company. It was first produced in 1941 and became an instant success due to its durable construction and sleek design. In 1948, the Parker 51 debuted a simpler and sturdier "Aerometric" filling system featuring a vented breather tube to prevent ink leakage during air flight. This classic pen will work its best when cleaned and filled properly.
Instructions
1. Remove the cap. Unscrew the barrel from the "section" consisting of the feed assembly and the nib. Remove the hood over the nib. If these parts have been secured in place with a sealant, they will need gentle heat treatment with a blow dryer to loosen them.
2. Soak the section in a cup of cool water. Flush out all remnants of old ink with water. The collector that surrounds the feed may trap fluid, so shake the pen out over a sink.
3. Inspect the ink sac. The synthetic sac of the Aerometric is more durable than rubber, but still should be checked for damage and replaced when necessary.
4. Inspect the breather tube. If damaged, it can be replaced with Teflon tubing or stainless steel tubing. The tube should be 7 cm long, with a small hole drilled in the side, 6 mm from the end that attaches to the feed. Remove all remains of the old breather tube, using a miniature tap to pull out any stump left behind.
5. Wipe away any ink particles with a damp paper towel. Reassemble the pen and fill it with fountain pen ink. Store the pen with the cap on and the nib pointing upward.
