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Parker 75 Grain d'Orge

Parker 75 Grain d'Orge

The Parker 75 Grain d'Orge (Barleycorn) was one of the first 75s made in Meru, France.  This example is an early pen, it still has an American made nib and no date code.

The length of the pen, when capped is 13cm. The cap is a push fit, it snaps into place with a satisfying 'click' and posts securely in position for writing, although many users prefer not to post a metal bodied pen.  The posted length is 14.3 cm.

At each end of the pen is a Gold filled 'stack of coins' stud, this was replaced by a plain stud in the very late models.    Around the plain cap band are the words:

                                                   'Parker, Made in France'

One of the most innovative features of the parker 75 is the adjustable nib, it is also the most underused.  The section is moulded in such a way as to have three 'facets' at 120 degrees to each other.  Two of the have milled lines to give grip for the index finger and thumb and the third smooth one sits comfortably against the inside of the first finger.  A little experimentation shows that, if the pen is to bear correctly on the paper when the section is gripped in this manner then the nib must be able to be rotated.  If it didn't then the contoured section would merely be a hindrance. Many manufacturers copied the contoured section but rendered it useless by having a fixed nib.  If you are not convinced then try holding the pen in the left hand then transferring it to the right hand. 

The nib itself is a very handsome affair.  Most are 14Ct. gold but some of the later French pens have 18Ct. Gold nibs. Parker offered a huge selection of nib types and point widths ranging from 'needle point' to 'double broad' in a range of styles. This particular pen has a 14Ct. Gold 'Normal' medium nib. It writes with a smooth line, perhaps a little on the fine side of medium.
The box is new and unbranded but will serve well for protection, transport, and display.

The Parker 75 is a cartridge/converter filler, a most convenient arrangement as it allows for the ease of use of cartridges with the flexibility offered by the use of bottled ink.  The pen performs equally well with both filling systems and which one to use is merely a matter of personal choice.  The use of bottled ink is probably a good deal more environmentally sound and is certainly much, much cheaper than using cartridges. The pen is fitted with the original converter and a new cartridge is supplied so the pen is ready to write in either configuaration.

The pen is very comfortable in the hand and is an easy writer.  It is also a very tactile item with an unmistakable top quality 'feel'.  The Parker 51 is often referred to as 'the best pen Parker ever made' but I think this is a questionable assertion when it is compared to the fabulous Parker 75.

Read a full Parker 75 review here

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