Parker introduced the '51 Writefine' pencil, to accompany the fountain pen, in 1940. The very early pencils had a metal cap stud but this was replaced with a pearl coloured stud by 1941. Some of the higher end Heritage/Heirloom models in 1941/42 had a very thin gold plate on the mechanism, really a gold 'wash', which wore off very quickly, remnants of this gold can be seen on this pencil.
The pencil is in near mint condition, although the eraser is missing. The cap is decorated with fine longitudinal lines, no spaces, and is clearly stamped :
1/10 16K. Gold filled.
Made in U.S.A.
Note the gold content of the cap is 16K, not 14K.
The cap has no dings, the barrel is unmarked, and there is no brassing on the cap, clip, or cone. the mechanism works well, the cap is turned to extend and retract the lead.
The pencil will be dispatched in a new composite, magnetic closure box.
This is a rare pencil in exceptional condition, clearly of collectable quality.