Here is an ever-growing thread. This has evolved into a nice collection of Vacumatics, of various models & years centred around the WWII time of manufacture. I am adding some of my DuoVac examples as well. They all use the same Vacumatic system of filling the pen's body with a diaphragm bladder pump.
Parker Vacumatic Major c1946 Gold Pearl, 14K Fine Flex nib
This is a fully restored Vintage Parker Major [USA] Gold Pearl Striped Celluloid Vacumatic Fountain Pen, while this is a vintage pen, it's been repaired and restored to full working order. Cleaned and polished and ready to write. The Vacumatic measures 123mm capped. 115mm uncapped and 143mm posted. 13.65mm diameter. The pen has a banded amber translucency to the celluloid barrel which acts as an ink window. Vacumatics use the body of the pen as it's tank and the pump and rubber diaphragm at the back is what creates the vacuum to fill the pen. This link goes to a short video clip which backlights the pen to show it's transparency. Not always visible in photos. https://vimeo.com/denniswilliamgaylor/vacumatic-transparency
Vintage Parker Major Vacumatic c1943
Silver Pearl Blue Diamond Fountain Pen
14K F firm flex nib
One of the rarer colour range, as it incorporates the Nickel Chrome accents vs the more common 14K gold plate on the other models; the Silver Pearl. This pen is a Blue Diamond version (Blue Diamond pens came with a Lifetime Guarantee, up until 1947 when the US government banned guarantees which included additional fees.) Just showing it's date mark on the body's stamping & WWII austerity celluloid pump parts date this at 1943. The 14K flex nib is a Fine tip and has a firm flex to it. The Feed below the comb is stamped V.
This pen has been cleaned & mechanically restored to full working condition. There is a brand new Diaphragm sac installed as part of that. It has been vacuum tested, water tested & the nib has been dip tested to show the writing sample. This pen has good body transparency in a patina'd amber tone. The body, cap & blind cap are all in good shape. There is wear, but no overt markings. The Nickel Chrome clip is in good condition, the cap's waist band is showing tarnish. The blue diamond has been refilled to make it prominent again.
- Nib: 14K Gold Fine Flex firm
- Nib Markings: Gold Arrow Logo PARKER U.S.A.
- Barrel Color: Silver Pearl w transparent layers, Celluloid laminated.
- Barrel Markings: Geo S Parker PARKER VACUMATIC Made in USA 3
- Cap Color: Silver Pearl Nickel Chrome Blue Diamond Arrow Clip Deco waist band
- 125mm capped
- 115mm uncapped
- 143mm posted
- 13.7mm diameter
- 16.1gm
- Nib Markings: Gold Arrow Logo PARKER U.S.A.
PARKER c1943 Vacumatic Sr. Debutante - Black Lateral Stripes - Fine-Flex-Medium Nib
Here is a Sr. Debutante Vacumatic (Blue Diamond) Made in USA 2nd Quarter of 1943. Celluloid Black and alternating translucent Lateral stripes along the body giving a clear look at ink content. This pen has been stripped down, cleaned and tested. Fully working in all respects.
Imprint is well worn: Geo S Parker PARKER VACUMATIC Made in USA .3. Nib is a 2-Tone Arrow point 14K gold Fine with Medium flex Nib. Most of the silvering on the nib is gone, the gold underneath is showing through. These two toned nibs are more rare than the plain gold. There is a slight Oblique slant to the nib for the right-handed. The Fine nib flexes to Medium
The Body and cap's condition show this pen was used in the last 73 years, but not abused. This pen's interior is clean and clear and shows good transparency. Cap has a Black Jewel and a Blue Diamond PARKER signed Arrow Clip. with a gold Deco banded waist. The Vacumatic plunger is a WWII austerity Celluloid design. Compact size would make for a great little travel or pocket pen.
- 120mm capped
- 111mm uncapped
- 134mm cap posted
- 12.25mm diameter
- 11.1 gms
- 111mm uncapped
PARKER c1945 3rd Qtr. Vacumatic Maxima Slender Silver Pearl - Nickel Plated accents - Medium Soft Flex Nib Canadian
A longer Silver Pearl w/the rarer silver furniture. Canadian WWII era Slender Maxima in Nickel Plated accents. Overall excellent cond. Nib signed: 14K PARKER VACUMATIC REG. T.M. MADE IN CANADA 5 It's a medium soft flex nib, check out the ink dip test in the photos. The body stamp is crisp as well: MADE IN CANADA PARKER VACUMATIC REG. T.M. PAT. No. 318982 5. [3 Qtr. 1945]
Clear transparency celluloid has amber patina, photos indicate overall pens condition.
- 136mm capped
- 125mm uncapped
- 156 mm posted
- 14mm diameter
- 16.8 gms
- 125mm uncapped
Vacumatic Diaphragm filling w/WWII austerity Celluloid plunger.
PARKER c1943 2nd Quarter Vacumatic Major Gold Pearl 14Kt Gold Medium Soft Flex Nib Canadian
A Canadian WWII era Major. excellent cond., the pen was quite dirty & cleaned up to reveal a very nice pen. Nib signed: 14K PARKER VACUMATIC REG. T.M. MADE IN CANADA 4 It's a medium soft flex nib, a lot of line variation, check out the ink dip test in the photos. The body stamp is crisp as well: MADE IN CANADA PARKER VACUMATIC REG. T.M. PAT. No. 318982 .3. [2 Qtr. 1943]
This pen is completely restored, cleaned & repaired. Someone in the past tried to muscle the section off and they left dents. (hate to see damage made by ignorance) Once restoring these Vacs, I have gone to not sealing the section with the traditional Shellac, bonding the section to the body. Instead I use waterproof silicone grease. This seals and yet lets you remove the section which facilitates keeping the pen clean and pristine. Nice body transparency celluloid has reddish patina. The pen has been flushed of old ink, diaphragm replaced. The interior, the nib & section cleaned and the whole pen polished and tested for functionality.
- 130mm capped
- 120mm uncapped
- 154mm posted
- 14mm diameter
- 16.1 gms
- 120mm uncapped
PARKER c1945 Vacumatic Major Black NIB MINT 14Kt Gold Medium/medium Flex Nib
This may be my best find for a Vac. New in box, original box, original wrapper/envelope. The condition of the pen is unused. For it to survive all time without wear. The rubber sac had gone brittle, which is to be expected. It was never used over 7 decades.
