#octanium

This is a Parker 51 Special in Burgundy c. 1950-1959.  It's 5 3/8 inches long capped.  The highly polished stainless steel cap is stamped PARKER on the front and MADE IN U.S.A. on the back.  The pen should have an imprint and date stamp near the clutch ring on the barrel.  Parker stopped dating pens at some point in the 1950s, so it's possible this is a late 1950s model.  Differences from the regular Aerometric 51 include a black cap jewel, a different design filling unit, and an octanium nib, named for its eight metal composition.  The pen sold for $10 and came in Black, Burgundy, Navy Grey, Teal Blue and Forest Green.