146 Cap size change

[Chemremman]

Hi Folks

Hope someone can help me with what should be a simple question but im having problems finding the answer, it may be that I have been looking in the wrong place.

Regarding the Montblanc 146. I have 2 of these wonderful instruments one with its original Fine Nib the other with an Italicised Medium, work carried out by the erstwhile John Sorowka.

My Fine nib is dated pre 1997 (No Pix) My Italic has Pix on the clip so that puts it roughly between 1997 and early 2000's.

At some time between these two models Montblanc changed the cap size, making the pen about 4mm longer. Allegedly it was to avoid the Traveller being longer than the 146. The threads are also different, so the caps are not interchangeable.

Does anyone know when this change took place. Many thanks

Alan

[FredRydr]

...The threads are also different, so the caps are not interchangeable.

Does anyone know when this change took place....
That's the issue many collectors run in to when buying used replacement caps. I've never pinned down the date since I concentrate on earlier pens, but I'll ask my fellow MB collectors and post if I learn something.

[jar]

There have also been quite a few size and threading changes over the decades.

[Chrissy]

I was once advised by Montblanc that the 146 cap size had changed several times.

[Chemremman]

Thanks very much. Having the two sizes for me is quite fortunate, I carry my pens in a leather case and one sticking out slightly further than the other makes them easy to identify. Its quite puzzling that information like this is not easily available for a brand like Montblanc. There is a wealth of information for brands like Parker out there.

[Chrissy]

If I was being cynical then I might suggest that when Montblanc decided to issue the 147 Traveller, they then made all of the resin parts for the 146 and 147 from the same moulds, so that they became identical and they wouldn't have two same girth pens with different sized caps and barrels. :)

In that scenario the previous 146 that is slightly different, has to have been made before Montblanc introduced the 147 Traveller. You might be able to get close to the issue date if it has a different feed and monotone nib. If it has a serial number then I believe they started in 1991.

Try typing "Montblanc 146 dating chart" into Google and see what comes up. :)

[Chemremman]

If I was being cynical then I might suggest that when Montblanc decided to issue the 147 Traveller, they then made all of the resin parts for the 146 and 147 from the same moulds, so that they became identical and they wouldn't have two same girth pens with different sized caps and barrels. :)

In that scenario the previous 146 that is slightly different, has to have been made before Montblanc introduced the 147 Traveller. You might be able to get close to the issue date if it has a different feed and monotone nib. If it has a serial number then I believe they started in 1991.

Try typing "Montblanc 146 dating chart" into Google and see what comes up. :)

Thanks Chrissy, ill give that a shot.