The Parker 45 was inntroduced in 1960 and remained in production until 2008, it certainly stood the test of time.
The Flghter models, constructed in brushed stainless steel, are particularly robust pens, well designed for every day use. This pen, however, is the ultra rare Parker 45 Flighter Special in Rage Red, probably more suited to a collector of 45s.
The excellent 'Penography' website mentions the Flighter Specials as:
'Steel pens with section and tassie in colours other than black. There are blue and maroon examples in the Parker archives, but red has also been found'
This is definitely a red pen, a shade or two brighter than the maroon. The nib is unique, it is claerly stamped 10Ct. gold rather than the 'normal' 14Ct. gold 45 nib, it is also stamped as made in U.S.A., the nib has an extra fine point.
There is a slight suggestion of shrinkage to the section but the pen is generally in excellent condition. It is, of course, extremely collectable.