Z-Parker 45 - Grey Schools CT with F Fine Point 14ct Gold Nib - (P861)

The Parker 45 was believed to be named after the famous American hand gun, the Colt 45. Designed by Don Doman, it was loosely based on the Eversharp 10,000.

Eversharp had been bought by Parker in 1957, so as to provide a new Cartridge filling system. It was much cheaper for Parker to do this than try to develop a new system for themselves.

The first Parker 45 (The Parker 45 Classic) was launched in 1960 with the new Cartridge filling system, and was an immediate hit. The Parker 45 Classic had a colour coded barrel and section, with an interchangeable nib, covered with a Stainless Steel cap. Most of the colours were bright, which usually allows distinction from the later Parker 45 Deluxe CT.

In 1962 the Parker 45 range was extended with the introduction of the Parker Arrow. Basically the same as the Parker 45 Classic, but with a colour-coded cap as well.

In 1964 the Parker 45 Flighters were launched. Called Flighter's because the resemmbled the look of the all aluminium advertising plane with gold trim, used across America to advertise Parker Pens from the 1930's onward.

The Flighter pens were actually Brushed Stainless Steel and came in Chrome Trim (CT) or Gold Trim (GT). With the early Parker 45 Flighters the barrel had the distinction of having a "Tassy" on the end. This was either coloured Black, Chrome or Gold. An all Gold version with Black or Gold Tassy was also launched, known as the Insignia.

In 1967 Parker launch the Parker 45 Deluxe, which was baically a Parker Classic but with Gold Trim.

Also in 1967, Parker released the Parker 45 Coronet. These looked very similar to the Parker 45 Flighter's, but were actually made of Annodised Aluminium in several bright colours.

In 1980 a series of special model were released. Some of my favourite Parker pens of all time were included:-

The Parker Harlequin Black Shield (sometimes designated as the Parker 80.

Parker Harlequin Circlet

Parker Harlequin Grey Shield

Parker 45 TX in Epoxy Resin Electric Blue

Over 75 million units were sold from first production in 1960 through to the end of production in 2008.

More History & Photos to follow.