A term used to indicate wear of gold-filled, gold-plated or rolled gold finishes. The base metal was often brass which became visible after extended use hence the term.

A modern thermoplastic with great clarity and durability used to make caps and barrels for many contemporary pens.

Introduced on the Parker 51 in 1949 as the Foto-fill. The barrel unscrews to reveal a sac surrounded by a metal casing which is depressed by hand for filling. The name was later changed to Aerometric. Similar filling systems were adopted by other manufacturers.

Type of filling mechanism in which the bladder and a pressure bar are exposed and the filling is done by squeezing the bladder to cause a suction.

Many Sheaffer models were made with a wide cap band, often in 14k, to allow for the engraving of the owner's signature. These were known as autographs within their individual model lines.

An extremely rare and valuable Parker eyedropper filling pen with an Aztec Indian relief design. Made around 1911, only a half dozen or so are known to exist.