Conventional wisdom gives 1953 for the first Aerometric Parker Duofolds, but this pen carries an imprint for the second quarter of 1952. It is the first of the line, possibly a 'pre production' pen.
The pen, finished in the classic combination of black and gold, has been fully serviced, tested, and is in excellent working condition. It has a very good surface and a clear barrel imprint with gold filling to the clip and a black cap 'jewel'.
The nib is consistent with the date of the pen. It is stamped 'N' for the Parker Newhaven factory, shortly after release the Duofold nibs did not have the 'N' but a number denoting the size of the nib.
The filling system works well and the pen writes with a very smooth line, perhaps on the medium side of fine.
At 13.2 cm. capped and 14.7 cm. posted the Duofold is an average sized pen in terms of length but is a good deal wider than most, giving it a very solid, chunky feel.
The Parker Aerometric Duofolds of the 1950s were excellent writing instruments which sold very well, despite the competition from the ballpoint. Parker probably under-priced the pen in order to resist the pressure. Over seventy years later the pen is still outstanding value, particularly when compared with a new Gold nibbed pen of similar quality. It would make a very good vintage daily writer.
The is the only U.K. Aerometric Duofold I've come across with a 1952 imprint, it is a significant pen with respect to the history of Parker pen production in England.