Tell me about this Pelican fountain pen

[BikerTom]

Hi all,

I'm a total newbie to fountain pens, but recently found a fountain pen set my grandfather bought for me many years ago.

I'm looking to find out a bit more (anything!) about it.

What do the letters on the nib mean? What is the model? Can it be aged? Or valued? Can it be refurbished so I can enjoy writing with it again?




Thanks in advance,
Tom.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170820/cfa92766f3b0daaa7a228b9443c66f00.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170820/d87df45ef415aa3e5a9f4707e51c36c4.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170820/e65e304279e6c199f65dd52cc3de4ac9.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170820/66de1827b0bd3f43091bada307aaf47f.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170820/806a4e3036ef9d32505c7ef92f1f762b.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170820/ead53bc9d1bc18c3faf3557f0b66a291.jpg

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[BikerTom]

P. S. Tapatalk shrunk my pictures I think. The nib says "12C-500" then "HM"

And I know it should be "Pelikan", can I blame Tapatalk for that too...


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[Chrissy]

Welcome to FPG. :)

It looks like a Pelikan piston filler made before 1990 (W.Germany). Apart from the cap finial having come off, there doesn't look like there is any damage to the pen itself. The ink window looks clean. I'm not sure of the model number or it's value, but it has a "Hard Medium" 12ct gold nib.

I would start by putting a small amount of warm water with a drop of dish soap in a glass or cup and soaking just the bottom section up to the screw threads for a few hours. Then carefully try to twist the piston knob to see if the piston moves. If it does, then flush the pen a couple of times with water to check if it fills and empties. If it does then you're good to go. If it doesn't then the piston will need attention.

In the event that the piston doesn't fill the pen with ink, then you need to send the pen for repair and whoever repairs it may as well glue the cap finial back on.

If the piston works fine and the pen fills and empties, then a tiny amount of epoxy glue around the very edge will fix the cap finial back on.

[BikerTom]

Welcome to FPG. :)

Apart from the cap finial having come off, there doesn't look like there is any damage to the pen itself.

Thanks for the helpful reply!

I should have mentioned, the cap top just unscrewed and is not damaged. I took it off to look for a logo or model number or something.

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[Chrissy]

That's even better! I couldn't tell that from the pictures.

It might be a M400.

Once you have soaked it for a while you will be better able to judge if the piston is working. If it feels stiff, then bear in mind that Pelikan nib units completely unscrew so it's easy to lubricate the piston. Try Googling 'Pelikan piston maintenance' or check out The Pelikan's Perch for more helpful information.

[grainweevil]

It's a little unusual; at first I thought "frankenbird", but now I'm wondering if it might be an M481. Any chance of measuring its length and diameter?

If it is an M481, exercise caution - the nib might not be a screw-in unit at all but a friction fit.

[BikerTom]

It's a little unusual; at first I thought "frankenbird", but now I'm wondering if it might be an M481. Any chance of measuring its length and diameter?

If it is an M481, exercise caution - the nib might not be a screw-in unit at all but a friction fit.I'm not sure the conventions for what to measure and only have a crap ruler, but I would say approximately as follows:

Length 127mm (measured end to end with lid closed on)

Diameter 11.5mm (measured above the thread, where you would hold it)

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[grainweevil]

That certainly sounds in the right area. I suggest you point your browser to these various pages on The Pelikan's Perch and compare with pen in hand and you'll soon know if I'm full of nonsense!

The Aviary - M481 (https://thepelikansperch.com/database/fountain-pens/m481/)
Decoding the M481 (https://thepelikansperch.com/2014/09/12/decoding-the-m481/)

There's quite a bit on the M481 elsewhere which you might want to Google for as well, but Joshua's site is an excellent start.

[Chrissy]

Ah. I though all of Pelikan's nib units of the same size in their piston fillers were screw in and screw out interchangeable. I read this recently somewhere, but I can't remember where.

OP please check first before you try to unscrew the nib. :confused:

[BikerTom]

That certainly sounds in the right area. I suggest you point your browser to these various pages on The Pelikan's Perch and compare with pen in hand and you'll soon know if I'm full of nonsense!

The Aviary - M481 (https://thepelikansperch.com/database/fountain-pens/m481/)
Decoding the M481 (https://thepelikansperch.com/2014/09/12/decoding-the-m481/)

There's quite a bit on the M481 elsewhere which you might want to Google for as well, but Joshua's site is an excellent start.Thanks for the links, an interesting read. The m481 does seem to stack up with dimensions, trim design etc. However I'm not sure about the 12c gold nib on mine is that normal? Sorry I don't know the terminology etc.

I wish I had confidence / knowhow to start taking it apart and/or cleaning it up...

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[grainweevil]

Ah. I though all of Pelikan's nib units of the same size in their piston fillers were screw in and screw out interchangeable. I read this recently somewhere, but I can't remember where.

It's a safe bet for nearly all of them, but Pelikan dabbled with friction fit nibs when they introduced the 400 in the 1950s, and then again when the M400 was launched in the '80s, and the M481 seems to be one of those that might have them. Didn't last long either time, but they are out there. However, I dug a little more, and Dominic Rothemel at Pelikan Collectibles (https://www.pelikan-collectibles.com/en/Pelikan/Models/Classic-Series/M200-Basis/index.html) says



In late variants there is no logo under the blind cap. Just as later models do not have a friction fit nib, but a screw-nib unit.

So I may have sounded an unnecessary note of caution after all. Ah well, better safe than sorry.:facepalm:



That certainly sounds in the right area. I suggest you point your browser to these various pages on The Pelikan's Perch and compare with pen in hand and you'll soon know if I'm full of nonsense!

The Aviary - M481 (https://thepelikansperch.com/database/fountain-pens/m481/)
Decoding the M481 (https://thepelikansperch.com/2014/09/12/decoding-the-m481/)

There's quite a bit on the M481 elsewhere which you might want to Google for as well, but Joshua's site is an excellent start.Thanks for the links, an interesting read. The m481 does seem to stack up with dimensions, trim design etc. However I'm not sure about the 12c gold nib on mine is that normal? Sorry I don't know the terminology etc.

I wish I had confidence / knowhow to start taking it apart and/or cleaning it up...

The 12K nib is unusual, but there are apparently known examples of special order versions for the Italian market that had them. Or it could have simply been swapped in, which is a perennial hazard with pen identification of all brands but especially Pelikans with easily changed screw-in nib units. You could email Joshua about your pen (he'd probably be interested anyway) and he might be able to tell you more.

[BikerTom]

So, I contacted Joshua at The Pelikan's Perch and he was incredibly helpful and knowledgeable.

He confirmed that he believes it to be an m481 made between 1983-85.

He was also kind enough to give some very helpful info on how to bring it back to life.

Ive been very impressed by him but also this forum, thanks for your help. I feel much more connected to this pen and my late Grandad as a result. I will definately get it working and use it.

Cheers,
Tom

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[grainweevil]

Gosh, correct identification score. Yay! Entirely due to Joshua's site, mind you, so yay for him really. It's an excellent Pelikan find and I'm glad you're going to use it. Three cheers for Grandad. :thumb:

[FredRydr]

Ah. I though all of Pelikan's nib units of the same size in their piston fillers were screw in and screw out interchangeable. I read this recently somewhere, but I can't remember where.

Look at Richard Binder's reference page for Pelikan nib interchangeability. http://www.richardspens.com/?page=ref/nibs/pel_nibs.htm Note that nib units might screw into various barrels, but take care to ensure the nib is appropriate for the pen and fits into the cap.

Fred