Parker 45 fountain pen

The Parker 45 is a classic and historically significant writing instrument first introduced in 1960. It was named after the Colt .45 revolver because it was the first Parker pen to use a convenient 'cartridge' filling system, much like loading a gun. The pen in the image features the iconic arrow clip and a semi-hooded nib design, which were hallmarks of this model during its long production run until 2007.

While the Parker Pen Company was originally an American firm based in Janesville, Wisconsin, the manufacturing of the 45 model became a global effort. Over several decades, production took place in the United States, the United Kingdom (Newhaven), France, and South America. Ownership of the brand shifted significantly in the late 20th century. Parker was acquired by the Gillette Company in 1993, and subsequently sold to Newell Brands in 2000. Today, Parker remains a premium brand under the Newell Brands portfolio, with most modern production centralized in France.