Pen Resurrection Ep 59 - 1938 Parker Royal Challenger Part ONE
TLDRIn this episode of Pen Resurrection, Doug revives a 1938 Canadian-made Parker Royal Challenger, a sentimental piece with a rich history belonging to Lori's father, Murray. The pen was used by Murray during the war and was damaged, but its restoration is meticulously detailed, showcasing the pen's journey from a nonfunctional state to a beautifully revived writing instrument, ready to be written with once again.
Takeaways
- 📜 The video discusses the restoration of a 1938 Parker Royal Challenger fountain pen.
- 🇨🇦 The pen is of Canadian origin and was used by Lori Armstrong Pettet's father, Murray Sherwood, during World War II.
- 💌 Murray's mother gifted him the pen to encourage letter writing to his family while overseas.
- 🌍 Murray was deployed from Canada to England and then to Holland, where he used the pen to write home.
- 🔥 The pen survived a family farm incident and was kept as a memento after Murray's death.
- 🛠️ Doug, the pen's restorer, received the pen from Lori and embarked on a two-part restoration process.
- 🤔 The nib was severely damaged, with one tip missing, presenting a significant challenge for restoration.
- 💡 Doug used a combination of cleaning, burnishing, and careful nib reshaping to bring the pen back to life.
- 🎥 The restoration process was documented in a video, with the final results and writing demonstration to be shown in a follow-up episode.
- ✨ The pen's history and the successful restoration make it a cherished artifact with both sentimental and functional value.
Q & A
What is the title of the episode and what does it focus on?
-The title of the episode is 'Pen Resurrection Ep 59 - 1938 Parker Royal Challenger Part ONE' and it focuses on the restoration of a 1938 Parker Royal Challenger fountain pen.
Who is the host of 'Inquiring Minds' and what is his role in this episode?
-The host of 'Inquiring Minds' is Doug. In this episode, he is restoring a 1938 Parker Royal Challenger fountain pen, which was loaned to him by his friend Lori Armstrong Pette.
What is the historical significance of the Parker Royal Challenger pen in the script?
-The Parker Royal Challenger pen has historical significance as it belonged to Lori's father, Murray Sherwood, who used it to write letters back home during his service in the Canadian Army during World War II.
How did Murray Sherwood acquire the Parker Royal Challenger pen?
-Murray Sherwood's mother purchased the Parker Royal Challenger pen for him to encourage him to write letters back to his family while he was overseas in the military.
What happened to the pen after Murray returned from the war?
-After the war, Murray brought the pen back with him. It was later damaged while he was visiting his brother at the family farm and was thrown away. Murray's brother retrieved it from the garbage and kept it.
How did Lori Armstrong Pette come to possess her father's Parker Royal Challenger pen?
-Lori Armstrong Pette received her father's Parker Royal Challenger pen as a memento from her uncle after her father passed away when she was 11 years old.
What condition was the Parker Royal Challenger pen in when Doug received it for restoration?
-The Parker Royal Challenger pen was in a very damaged state when Doug received it for restoration. The nib was horribly mangled and the pen was not able to write.
What was the estimated date of the nib of the Parker Royal Challenger pen based on the script?
-The nib of the Parker Royal Challenger pen was estimated to be from the first quarter of 1948, as indicated by the '14k Canada 18' marking on the nib.
What was the final outcome of the restoration process of the Parker Royal Challenger pen?
-The restoration process was successful and the Parker Royal Challenger pen was made to write again with a wet, smooth line. The pen was also polished and looked almost as good as new.
What was the significance of the pen's restoration for Lori Armstrong Pette?
-The restoration of the pen was significant for Lori Armstrong Pette as it not only brought back memories of her father but also gave her the opportunity to use the pen again, something she had held onto for many years with the hope that it could be fixed.
Outlines
🎥 Introduction to Pen Resurrection
The video begins with an introduction to the Pen Resurrection series, highlighting the story of a 1938 Canadian-made Parker Royal Challenger button filler. The pen, loaned by Doug's friend Lori Armstrong Pette, belonged to her late father, Murray Sherwood. The narrative delves into the pen's historical significance, from its purchase by Murray's mother to encourage wartime correspondence, through its use in the European theater, and finally to its current state of disrepair. The video sets the stage for the pen's restoration journey, promising a detailed account of the process and the emotional significance behind it.
🔍 Inspection and Initial Assessment
Doug proceeds to inspect the Parker Royal Challenger, noting its tarnished clip, scratches from years of use, and the deep engravings of Murray's initials. He discusses the pen's Canadian origin and the absence of date codes, before delving into its mechanical aspects. The examination reveals a tarnished button, a pressure bar in working condition, and a section that comes apart to expose the nib and feed. The nib, stamped with 'Parker fountain pen 14k Canada 18,' suggests a 1948 manufacture, leading Doug to speculate on the pen's history. The paragraph concludes with an overview of the restoration challenges ahead, focusing on the damaged nib and the need for thorough cleaning.
🛠️ Cleaning and Nib Reshaping
In this segment, Doug details the cleaning process of the Parker Royal Challenger, using an ultrasonic bath to remove old ink and corrosion from the pen's components. He then addresses the nib's condition, noting the弯曲 of the tines and the loss of one tip. Doug shares his plan to flatten and realign the tines, transforming the nib into a stub. He demonstrates the use of a nib burnisher and other tools to reshape the nib, aiming to restore its writing capability despite the significant damage. The paragraph emphasizes the meticulous and careful approach required to revive the pen, highlighting the delicate balance between repair and potential further damage.
📝Nib Refinement and Adjustment
Doug continues his work on the nib, focusing on refining its shape and adjusting the tines' alignment. He describes the process of straightening the nib using pliers and a burnishing tool, while being cautious not to cause further damage. The goal is to create a smooth, writable stub with a consistent line width. The paragraph details the nib's transformation, from its initial damaged state to a more aligned and squared shape. Doug also discusses the importance of the writing angle and the need to ensure the tines are close together and properly aligned. The summary underscores the technical aspects of fountain pen restoration and the attention to detail required to achieve a functional and aesthetically pleasing result.
🖋️ Achieving a Functional Nib
With the nib reshaped, Doug moves on to testing its functionality. He describes the pen's surprisingly smooth writing capabilities, despite its rough appearance. The focus shifts to fine-tuning the nib's performance, with Doug aiming for a wetter, more flexible writing experience. He explains the process of grinding the nib at an angle to achieve the desired writing characteristics, emphasizing the importance of the writing angle and the need to balance the pen's performance with its restored appearance. The paragraph highlights the iterative nature of the restoration process, as Doug continues to make adjustments to achieve the best possible outcome.
🌟 Polishing and Final Touches
Doug turns his attention to the pen's exterior, polishing the hardware and addressing the pen's celluloid body. He uses a combination of sandpaper and micromesh to remove decades of scratches and scarring, transforming the pen's appearance. The paragraph details the careful process of sanding and polishing, including the use of Anderson pens micro gloss compounds to achieve a near-new finish. Doug takes care to preserve the pen's original imprints and engravings, ensuring that the restored pen retains its historical integrity. The summary emphasizes the meticulous work involved in restoring the pen's appearance, highlighting the blend of technical skill and artistic sensibility required to bring the Parker Royal Challenger back to life.
🎉 Pen Resurrection and Emotional Connection
The video concludes with Doug reflecting on the successful restoration of the Parker Royal Challenger. He expresses his delight and satisfaction with the pen's newfound functionality and improved appearance. The paragraph underscores the emotional significance of the project, as Doug anticipates Lori's reaction to her father's pen being brought back to life. The restoration journey serves as a testament to the pen's historical value and the deep connection it represents for Lori. The summary captures the sense of accomplishment and the joy of reuniting a family heirloom with its rightful owner, encapsulating the essence of the Pen Resurrection series.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Parker Royal Challenger
💡Resurrection
💡Murray Sherwood
💡Restoration
💡Nib
💡Button Filler
💡Ebonite
💡Engraving
💡World War II
💡Sentimental Value
💡Ultrasonic Bath
Highlights
The story revolves around a 1938 Parker Royal Challenger pen originally owned by Murray Sherwood.
Murray Sherwood was a Canadian soldier who received the pen from his mother as a means to keep in touch during World War II.
The pen was used by Murray in the European theater, specifically in Holland, to write letters back home.
After the war, Murray brought the pen back home but it eventually got damaged and was thrown away.
Murray's brother retrieved the pen from the trash and kept it, later passing it on to their niece Lori Armstrong Pettie.
Lori entrusted the pen to Doug, a pen enthusiast and friend, for restoration.
The pen's nib was severely damaged, with one tip missing and the other bent.
Doug used a combination of ultrasonic cleaning, burnishing, and micromesh to restore the pen's nib.
The pen's body and gold plating were tarnished but restored to their original state through careful polishing.
The pen's historical significance is emphasized, highlighting its role during the war and its sentimental value to the family.
Doug successfully restored the pen's writing ability, transforming it from a damaged artifact to a functional and beautiful piece.
The pen's restoration process was documented in a two-part video series, with the second part detailing the final stages.
Lori's father's initials on the pen serve as a poignant reminder of the pen's personal history and connection to its original owner.
The Parker Royal Challenger is a Canadian-made pen, showcasing the craftsmanship of the era.
The pen's restoration involved a meticulous process of cleaning, repairing, and polishing each component.
The story of the pen and its restoration serves as a testament to the enduring nature of quality writing instruments.
The pen's revival not only restored its functionality but also preserved a piece of family and military history.
The pen's restoration was a labor of love, showcasing the dedication and skill required to breathe new life into vintage writing instruments.
The final result of the restoration is a pen that writes smoothly and serves as a cherished memento of Lori's father.