The Parker Duofold Demi was the first aerometric Duofold to be produced. It was made at the Parker Newhaven factory, making its debut in 1951, with production ceasing in 1958. First launch for the Demi is often, now doubtfully quoted as 1953, this pen has a barrel imprint dating it to 1951.
The Demi is a little shorter than the Standard Duofold, giving the impression, to be polite, of a very chunky pen, I'd call it fat! The Duofold line was made in four solid colours: black, green, blue, and red. It has a wide, decorated, Gold filled cap band and clip.
The pen is 12.6 cm. in length when capped, and 14.2 cm. when posted with a cap diameter of 1.4cm., normal size in length but oversize in girth. It is a very comfortable pen in use, with a solid, high quality feel.
The pen has been fully serviced and tested and is in excellent condition throughout. It has a good shine and a legible imprint. The Gold filling to the cap band and clip is very bright.
The Aerometric filling system is efficient and easy to use, taking up a good volume of ink. The pen writes with a smooth, medium line, perhaps a tad on the broad side. It isn't flexible, as such, but has the pleasant 'soft' feel that Parker managed to achieve in most of their Gold nibs.
The Parker Duofold Demi is not a common Duofold, by any means. It's raison d'etre is something of a mystery, to me anyway, as I have never worked out exactly who it was aimed at in marketing terms. It wouldn't have been a 'ladies pen', it is huge in comparison to the Parker Lady which was released just as production of the Demi ended. I can only think that it is something to do with the depth of jacket pockets, the military in particular seemed to be adamant that a shirt or jacket pocket flap should be fastened, perhaps a standard Duofold wouldn't allow this.
Whatever the reason, judging by the relatively few Demis around, it didn't work out well and the Duofold Demi did not sell in great numbers and is becoming very collectable, particularly with the early date code.