Parker · 1964–2007 · Cartridge and converter
Brushed stainless steel, from 1964
The Parker 45 arrived in 1960 as Parker's first cartridge pen. The name nods to the Colt .45, because loading it was meant to be just as quick. It came with a converter for bottled ink too, and the whole nib unit screws out of the pen, so swapping nibs takes seconds. Once the plastic 45 took off, Parker moved it upmarket. The all-steel Flighter arrived in 1964 and sold well from the start. Brushed stainless steel covers the cap and barrel, and from 1970 there was a chrome-trimmed Flighter CT and a gold-trimmed Flighter Deluxe. Parker kept making the 45 into the 2000s, and the Flighter Deluxe was one of the last versions standing. Collectors who shrug at plastic 45s still pay more for the metal ones, which have more weight and better balance. It's a tough, simple pen to carry every day.
Some 45s shrink, and the cap's clutch fingers can leave dents in the shell where they grip. A bent or worn nib is the easiest fault to live with, since the nib unit screws out and can be replaced.
Buying guide
Our pick is the gold-trimmed Flighter Deluxe with its original box and papers at $45 delivered. There are 30 for sale, and most complete pens ask $55–90 delivered, and the ones titled with a 14K gold nib mostly ask $75 or more. Check the plastic grip behind the nib for dents from the cap's clutch, and don't let a worn nib put you off a clean pen, since the whole nib unit screws out and can be replaced. Skip the $223 "Mint" pen from Japan, which asks about $130 over the band.
$35.50est. delivered
The cheapest complete Flighter here at $36 delivered, titled restored, with a fine steel nib. It ships from India, and a cartridge pen has little to restore, so judge it on the nib and grip in the photos.
Vintage Parker Flighter 45 Fountain Pen Fine Steel Nib USA Restored
$44.99delivered
A gold-trimmed Flighter Deluxe with its original box and paperwork for $45 delivered, under the $55–90 band. The title doesn't give the nib grade, so ask for a photo of the nib.
Parker 45 Flighter Deluxe Fountain Pen with ClipIt / Original Box and Document
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 5, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Snapshot
Checked . Some may have sold.
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 5, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Serviced$35.50est. delivered
$29.00 + $6.50 shipping
Buy It Now$29.00
Good buy
Ships from India. Titled restored, with a fine steel nib.
Seller: vintage-pens
98.6% positive
Used$44.99delivered
$44.99 · free shipping
Buy It Now$44.99
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
Flighter Deluxe with its original box and paperwork.
Seller: lakecitybuyselltrade
99.5% positive
Used$39.99delivered
$39.99 · free shipping
Buy It Now$39.99
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
Plain stainless Flighter with free shipping. No trim or nib grade stated.
Seller: strosfan74
100% positive
Used$68.75est. delivered
$59.95 + $8.80 shipping
Buy It Now$59.95
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
14K medium nib, date-coded to 1980.
Seller: uniquitees
99.9% positive
Used$69.25est. delivered
$60.00 + $9.25 shipping
Buy It Now$60.00
Our take
Medium nib, and a converter is included.
Seller: rgbpd1
99.9% positive
Used$70.00delivered
$70.00 · free shipping
Buy It Now$70.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
Gold-trimmed Deluxe, titled 1960s. No nib grade stated.
Seller: wordsmith06413
100% positive
Used$101.99est. delivered
$95.00 + $6.99 shipping
Buy It Now$95.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
Factory broad 1.25 mm nib. A good one if you want a wide, bold line.
Seller: kraz
100% positive
Used$223.34est. delivered
$183.34 + $40.00 shipping
Buy It Now$183.34
Priced high
Ships from Japan with $40 shipping. About $130 over the band.
Seller: zakinnjapandirect
100% positive
Prices change daily. The live eBay search shows everything listed now, including anything new since Oct 5, 2026.
See every listing on eBay ↗eBay searchA pen that’s sat in a drawer for decades wants a flush before it sees ink. A bulb syringe, pen flush and a bottle of well-behaved ink cover most of it. This searches Amazon for the usual kit.
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Parker · 1964–1994
Cartridge and converterSterling silver crosshatch, 1964 to 1994
Post-war golden age
$140–$210 typical ask
Montblanc · 1980s–early 2000s
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Modern
$270–$380 typical ask
Sheaffer · 1976–1998
Cartridge and converterMatte black, gold-plated trim, Classic size
Modern
$110–$200 typical ask
Pilot · 1992–present
Cartridge and converter14K size 5 nib, cartridge or converter
Modern
$140–$210 typical ask
Pilot · 1963–present
Cartridge and converterClick-action Capless, from 1964
Post-war golden age
$150–$230 typical ask
Pilot · 1971–1980
Cartridge and converterModel M-350SS, integral steel nib
Modern
$230–$360 typical ask