Newbie questions

[lshines]

Hello! I'm new to the pen thing, other than enjoying writing with my dad's old Parker, and particularly MB. I fell for a MB #14 in GREEN on an eBay page from Japan. I didn't win darnit, but the vendor has had other models (all two and three digit models) in this particular wonderful GREEN! I'm reluctant to buy for many reasons - but my lack of knowledge for these pens (and buying used) is top of the list.

Is there anywhere that tells the approximate age of these two-three digit models, and of when MB used the green for them?
Is there anywhere that shows sizes comparitively to the modern models?
The nibs and how they are "covered" on these are so different than the modern MB's and other pens. Was that just "style"?
Were these piston filled?
I would appreciate any info and help on these!

I will start reading on this subforum - forgive if there are threads which do.

[silverlifter]

The two digit MBs from the 1960s are wonderful pens. Here is a comprehensive write up of them: https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/326283-a-thorough-report-on-montblanc-121422243234-series/

[lshines]

WOW! THIS is wonderful info! Many thanks! I guess I'm heading down this road :-) Any suggestions about these or buying used?

[guyy]

Japanese are big on MBs and tend to take good care of them. I think i know the seller to whom you are referring. I’ve bought a couple MBs from him/her/them and was pleased with the pens. They arrived in very good condition.

Prices are higher than when i bought my pens two or three years ago, and the color versions fetch a higher price. You’ll have to decide if it’s worth it to you. As silverlifter says, the two digit MBs are good pens. I think the nibs are nicer than those on many contemporary MBs.

[lshines]

many thanks! I'm particularly hoping for a 14 - it seems from the info that the 14 is the largest.

[silverlifter]

The 14 is a great pen. Don't discount the others, though. I have a 34 and have owned a 24: these models all are very comfortable to write with for extended periods of time.

I have my 14 inked at the moment, with KWZ IG Blue Black, and it is a terrific combo!

Good luck on your hunt!

[jar]

many thanks! I'm particularly hoping for a 14 - it seems from the info that the 14 is the largest.

The 12 and 14 are the same size, the difference is the gold cap.

[kazoolaw]

The 12 and 14 are the same size, the difference is the gold cap.

I believe the 14 [first pen] is larger than the 12 [second pen]
https://go.skimresources.com/?id=86284X1538780&isjs=1&jv=15.2.0-stackpath&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fountainpennetwork.com%2Ffo rum%2Ftopic%2F326283-a-thorough-report-on-montblanc-121422243234-series%2F&url=https%3A%2F%2Ffarm5.staticflickr.com%2F4407%2F 36136044800_99f70eba2a_k.jpg&xguid=01FC6X06H9YBM6PAWZ9XQ9743S&xs=1&xtz=240&xuuid=7fba6855d95471c37659952e4538a33c&xjsf=other_click__auxclick%20%5B2%5D,

and neither has a gold cap.

See, A Thorough Report On Montblanc 12/14/22/24/32/34 Series, posted above, which is the source of the photo.

[guyy]

The second digit indicates the size. The 14 - 24 & 34 are the same larger size. The 12, 22 & 32 are all the smaller size. The differences are that the 12 & 14 have a gold ink window, bishop's mitre capband & 18k nibs. The 24 & 22 have the double rings, 14k nibs and the blue ink windows. The 3 series has the intertarsial nibs. There's also the 72 & 74 which have the gf caps but are otherwise like the 12 & 14.

Then there are the rare versions: the 92 & 94 solid gold versions of the 12 & 14 as well as the 82 & 84 with gf barrels and caps.

The differences are mostly cosmetic. They're all good.

[silverlifter]

The 12, 22 & 32 are all the smaller size.

Montblanc called these the demi-size.



They're all good.

:thumb:

[guyy]

Some background on the two digit pens:

In the fifties MB made pens mostly out of celluloid, which required relatively large amounts of labor to turn into pen parts. The top tier pens, which came in four sizes, contained a complicated telescoping piston. The second and third tier pens had different designs. Few parts were compatible between models and sizes. Just managing the inventory of parts must have been a headache, to say nothing of the costs.

To reduce those costs, MB consolidated its lines and replaced all but the 149 with the new two digit models. The 1960s MBs would be made of injection molded plastics, which allowed more automation of production. In addition, the new two digit models would be built around the same basic design, greatly reducing the total number parts required. Only the 149 retained the traditional nib, all other fountain pens used the smaller (& cheaper) wing nib.

[jar]

Went back and looked at my stuff and it was the 74 and 14 that were the same size.

Getting old is a bitch. Mea Culpa.

[lshines]

Many thanks to everyone! That's what forums are for - and I'm finding that this one is very friendly and helpful - I'll be here!

[kazoolaw]

Went back and looked at my stuff and it was the 74 and 14 that were the same size.

Getting old is a bitch. Mea Culpa.

Would love to see a photo of your 74: it's old, and classic. You too.

[BoBo Olson]

Lots of great info here.

Too bad I didn't know this 6-10 years ago. I might have chased some of the MB's here in Germany on Ebay.

To tell the truth, then Osmia was as expensive as I went.....60-70 Euros vs E-50-60 Pelikans. (I had started out with the E-20 pens and took years to get up to E-100 and a bit more to get to E-150 my normal limit now.)

MB was like Soennecken were out of reach.......especially with ignorance which this post alleviates.