Parker Duofold Junior, Jade Celluloid GPT, Soft #2 14k

Jade Duofold ran from the mid-1920s into the early 1930s and was one of the colorways that put Parker on every American desk. Bright translucent green celluloid with gold-plated trim. The Junior is sized for shirt-pocket carry, with the same button-filler and the same April 25, 1911 patent date hallmark stamped into the barrel. Standard Duofold #2 nibs are firm; this is the Soft #2 variant, with 0.45mm horizontal hairlines opening to 1.36mm at 470g pressure for a 3.0× variation in the FM to 3B range. Semi Flex by my scale, with a slight cursive italic character built into the tipping (0.45mm horizontal, 0.60mm vertical) that gives natural variation to handwriting without behaving like a true flex nib. A forgiving everyday writer that compares favorably to the Pilot Custom 743 FA in feel, with the snapback closer to a controlled bounce. Jade ambers, and that is part of the grading on this pen. The barrel shows period darkening from ink oxidization; the cap is near-mint after restoration, with no hairlines or crystallization and intact structural integrity. The gold-plated trim is clean with light brassing around the clip washer and ball. Crisp barrel imprint, with some marks to the ebonite blind cap and the knurled cap finial. Grade C- overall, reflecting the colorway and the trim wear. Restoration involved extensive celluloid cleaning to release bonded ink residue from the barrel, finished with a light hand-polish and a carnauba wax seal for UV and moisture protection. Nib and feed tuned. Button-filling mechanism tested with water. Fitted with a silicone sac, so please store upright just in case there is nib creep. This is a trade off to use all inks regardless if they are vintage-safe or not, and will not off gas (won't degrade celluloid nitrate). Tested on Rhodia 90gsm ivory with Pelikan 4001 Brilliant Black.