Some more information (and a photo gift that will appear in the print article... eventually).
We discuss the Parker-made Diamond Medal button-fill pen from around late 1934 (I have vague recollection seeing the pen in a late 1934 or early 1935 Sears catalogue, but could not dig up the ad on first hunt in my apartment.
The pen, as noted above, borrows structural and cosmetic features from several Parker pens (a common theme to Diamond Medal pens Parker made for Sears).
Basic form from the "nameless" Parker "$3.50" catalogued only in December 1933, and found (by me) with latest date code "34" for third quarter 1934. A pen of good quality that perhaps gave way as the 2nd tier pen (behind Vacumatic) to the Parker Deluxe Challenger, which appeared in 1934. The fat-middle-band triple band evokes Duofold Deluxe. The clip is streamlined Duofold style. Again, this one is a true Parker, indeed a not-so-common series, found in two sizes, the small size either ring or clip top, four colors for 12 possible pens.
Fluted barrel and cap borrowed from Parker Parkette Deluxe. A Third tier Parker.
Simple triple cap-band from many Parker pens, usually those that are high-end within their given series: Vacumatic (high-line), Deluxe Challenger, Parkette Deluxe, etc.
Colors from pens other than what was found (mostly, maybe completely) for the Parker "$3.50" shown above.
All those styles, mixed together for the Sears version with Diamond Medal imprint. I'm guessing the pen was found in two sizes, though all I've found are the Standard.
Look at this example again of the final mix, the pen from Johnny Appleseed's collection
We are, again, very lucky to have Sears advertising to provide direct model information and context for these pens. Information about Parker pens, proper, likely is more prevalent than information for any other manufacturer. This has allowed better characterization of their pens than is possible for most other makes. The rebadged pens are a small niche for Parker product, at least in retrospect. Many other makes leave us wholly with speculation. In the recent Diamond Medal Vac-Fil thread, David Nishimura pointed out that an author of a Parker book, with access to Parker's archives, reported no information whatsoever available about the Diamond Medal connection.
Regarding the fluted DM's, I was fortunate as well to find on ebay a pen in original DM box, correct-to-era, with warranty and with filling instructions. Several nice findings on the paper:
- The text had a quite Parker-like flavor (supporting the Parker-DM connection)
- The image was quite like Parker's button-filler instructions (ditto)
- The date code on the two pieces of paper suggesting middle and late (respectively) 1934 printing, supports the timing of the pen, appearing in overlap with the winding-down of the "donor" Parker $3.50 pens. This supports the connection of that model to the DM fluted pens and again raises the notion that "left over" stock or at least "models ending their run" made good material for rebadging.
Take a peek at the instructions front and back
Obviously, an image of the Sears catalogue page would be of use. I do believe I have one. Just cannot find the catalogue in the mess at home. Later maybe.
In meanwhile I offer a bit of a gift regarding this series, before moving on (at some point) to other Parker-made Diamond Medal button fillers, Webster button-fillers, Good Service level-fillers and (for Woolworth's) Safford Fifth-Ave lever fillers. This pic probably will show up in the print article, if and when I get around to that.
I'm not sure how many out there have managed to score FOUR COLORS of the fluted DM's. This is my collection, representing perhaps 6 years of awareness of the pen. Do look at the colors. See if you can ID the Parker pens that contributed their colors to this pen.
Regards
David