DATE CODES -DATING A PEN

Contents:

1. Date codes
2. Nib codes
3. Hallmarks and other markings
4. Condition codes
5. Abbreviation codes

1. Date codes on Parker Pens

In mid 1934 Parker began marking most pens and pencils with a date code, both the barrel and the nibs were marked, but lacking a date code doesn't necessarily mean that the pen was made pre-1935, since many imprints have been worn off with use. The first date codes, found for example on the Vacumatics, consists of two digits, the first one denoting the quarter of production, the second denoting the production year. Hence a "47" marking on a 1930's pen indicate that the pen was produced in the fourth quarter of 1937, not 1947, which is a common misconception.

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In the second quarter of 1938 this system was however changed to save production time, and a new date code, using a system of dots, was adopted. The stamp initially had three dots and for each quarter one dot was filed down leaving none for the fourth quarter. Since production was overlapping examples exist with either the imprint 28 or .8. for the the second quarter of 1938. Also, since this coding system extended over a decade, a pen marked 38 could be produced the third quarter either in 1938 or 1948.

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In 1950 a new system for the date coding was introduced where the two digits only indicated the year, not the quarter hence "50" means made in 1950, this system was used in the US until 1955 and in Canada a few years longer..

It has been assumed that Parker began marking some of their pens on the trim or cap bands to allow for dating in 1970. Using the words "Quality pen", one letter per year, followed by a quarter marker, allowing for dating within a ten year span.
So far the earliest date coded pens found have had the code NL for 1979, and all of these pens were made in the US. Possibly anticipating the 1980 official start of date coding in France and the UK, this could have led to the presumption that the dating actually began in 1970, but proof of this has still to be found.
The quarter marker changed in 1988 from E,C,L,I to III,II,I or none (last quarter) according to the below table.
In 2000 the code again underwent a small change when the quarter switched sides with the year and there was a dot between them "Q.III"
In 2010 the quarter marker moved back before the year letter, without a dot (for example, "IIIQ"). In 2020 the year letter moved back to the front, with a dot separating it from the quarter marker (for example, "Q.III"). The year letters repeat every ten years in the sequence QUALITYPEN. For the fourth quarter, only the year letter is shown, without a dot.
There are however inconsistencies, such as missing dots and quarter codes appearing on the wrong side of the year code.

Notes: Q1–Q4 denote the first to fourth quarters of the year. Date coding begins in the UK and France in 1980. The quarter markers change in 1988; the positions of the year letter and quarter marker change in 2000, 2010 and 2020. A dash means that no code is listed for that quarter.

2. Nib codes

(there are discrepancies between models)

3. Hallmarks and other markings

Parker, Maker's Mark:

Description	Mark
Parker Pen company, USA
Parker Pens. ltd, UK
Parker Pen, France
Parker Pen Company, Canada	PPCO

Common Parker markings:
375
585
750
9K
14K
18K

Common Parker markings:
Sterling Silver

France Solid Gold

Description	Mark
Seahorse, 24K gold
Eagle, 22K gold
Eagle, 18K gold
Shell, 14K gold
Clover, 9K gold
Standard, below 9K gold, foreign
Foreign or unknown

France Silver

Description	Mark
Silver 999 (of 1 000) Fine
Silver 925 Sterling
Silver 800
Silver Standard, below 800

4-Condition-code standard for writing equiptment

This is a standard for shortening the description of pens, either for personal use or when offering pens for sale. The code-key could be posted along with the pen-list, if desired.
The following codes should be used to establish an overall condition, rather than be taken literally. Flaws should always be noted, such as scratches, cracks, dents, etc.

5. Abbreviations: