PA3577 Parker Duofold AF (Soft Medium)

PA3577 Parker Duofold AF (Soft Medium)

Date: c1950

Size: Capped - 133mm; posted - 154mm.

The AF or "Aluminium Filler" Duofold was made by the UK arm of Parker from 1948.  A very short production run means that these pens are not common today.  It is the immediate predecessor of the much more common Aerometric Duofold and looks outwardly almost identical.  This is a glossy jet black example that is in very good condition.  The only damage I can see on this pen is a tiny bit plating wear to the edges of the pocket clip stem that you are not going to notice without using a loupe.  The cap has a black conical end "jewel" and a rolled gold Parker Arrow pocket clip.  Also , using a loupe, I can just see some very minor surface wear to the cap and barrel, but this does not detract from the very nice glossy appearance of the pen.  There is also a wide cap band - also rolled gold - that has the usual "deco" engraving.  At the end of the barrel is a blind cap.  This can be unscrewed and beneath is the original aluminium filling button and aluminium collar that it is held in.  The barrel imprint is complete, and easily read.  The original Parker Newhaven nib is in 14 carat yellow gold in medium point, marked "PARKER / DUOFOLD / 14K / PEN / N".  

I have fully serviced this pen.  It fills and writes superbly.  The nib lays down a very smooth medium width line that is both wet and consistent.  The nib does have some softness and will produce a tiny bit of understated line width variation as you write.