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Tony Rex
June 4th, 2014, 05:22 AM
G'day Geeks,

This thread is about Merz and Krell(MK)produced 400NN in the '70s. I have the opportunity to get all the colours: Green, Black, and Brown Tortoiseshell. I will share their photos and some of my observations when compared to Gunther Wagner(GW) 400. There are plenty of photos of the differences already on Ruettinger: http://www.ruettinger-web.de/e-pelikan-modell-400.html, So I'm not gonna repeat all that, but I will add a little bit more. Okay, without further ado, onto the pics:

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3885/14157357507_e3c80cf1da_o.png

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3921/14320717596_44182967f8_o.png

Gunther Wagner on top. Merz & Krell bottom.
https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2896/14342229992_da7844e34d_o.png

Notice the step on the blind cap on the GW, and flush on the M&K.
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5116/14157187168_56d7413ede_o.png

GW cap sleeve dots vs slits on the M&K.
https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2904/14340785561_f9e1ed3e7d_b.jpg

Artsy shot. Aka. The Jeph preview :)
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5568/14288878946_59e8265223_b.jpg

This model has the following different features to model 400NN:
1. a different style of nib, feed and collar, clip, and (metal!) crown ring
2. no rim between the mechanism and the barrel
3. a shorter barrel
4. A threaded piston housing (normal threading)
5. A different metal cap sleeve style
6. Modern style piston stroke (shorter)

*Addendum mine

Except on the last point, everything was an improvement. Especially, the additional slits on the metal cap insert. They should prevent hairline crack prone to the older GW models caused by celluloid shrinkage. The crown ring is completely made of metal instead of plated plastic. The clip has a slightly different shape, a thicker ring, and was inscribed with "R9 400 NN" inside the beak. The nib is typical of the era in terms of springiness. I must stress that every part that was normally compatible between GW, is not compatible with M&K. That includes the cap, the crown ring, the clip, the nib collar, and piston parts except the rubber seal. Just keep that in mind.

That's it for now. I will add the other two (black and green) photos later when I finish the initial cleaning rites with them, eventually leading to the group photo. To be continued

RuiFromUK
June 4th, 2014, 05:54 AM
Tony, did I ever tell you that you have marvellous pens?

Another great winner for your pen stable.

Keep on bringing them for us to stare at!

Jeph
June 4th, 2014, 06:05 AM
Super comparison shots, great information about the differences and of course super duper pens! More please.

Tony Rex
June 7th, 2014, 08:35 AM
Thank you. I'm glad you liked them. And as promised, here it is. The black one:
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5313/14179641137_d040a421a6_b.jpg

The same nice springy F nib..
https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2934/14364606992_120f3b91bb_b.jpg

And here it is, compared to a less common variant of the black GW (according to christof at FPN) (http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/220855-whats-up-at-christofs/page-12#entry2611373):
https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2902/14343012296_808e2deef2_b.jpg

Thanks. To be continued

ardgedee
June 7th, 2014, 12:44 PM
I think I like the black pen even more than the tortoiseshell. The green tint to the translucent stripes of the binde make it beautiful.

conib
June 8th, 2014, 02:21 PM
4. Threaded piston housing

Tony, do you mean that the M&K 400NN Piston unscrews from the barrel instead of being a friction-fit? If so, what is the orientation of its threading (and do you happen to have a photo of the unscrewed piston)?

-- Constance

Tony Rex
June 9th, 2014, 08:16 AM
4. Threaded piston housing

Tony, do you mean that the M&K 400NN Piston unscrews from the barrel instead of being a friction-fit? If so, what is the orientation of its threading (and do you happen to have a photo of the unscrewed piston)?

-- Constance

Hi Constance,
Yup. Normal threading, I think. I cropped this pic, hope clear enough..
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3861/14196002270_f2520146cd_b.jpg

Jeph
June 9th, 2014, 08:23 AM
wow, it does look like it is normal threading. I would have bet BIG that it was normal Pelikan reverse threading.
Thanks to both of you for the question and the answer.

Tony Rex
June 14th, 2014, 10:12 AM
And the green one.https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2923/14233161198_f0f6bd1531_b.jpg

Nib shot.
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3907/14418617644_7f9e24a254_b.jpg

Tony Rex
June 14th, 2014, 12:28 PM
Group shots. Finials.
https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2921/14416440831_f14ce81731_b.jpg

With the Pelikan three-pen case.https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3841/14439975273_76314c9c48_b.jpg

That's it. Thanks for looking. I hope you like the pics. Cheers.

Pelikan-Vera
June 14th, 2014, 02:22 PM
Glorious.....and congratulations on having all colours.

Jeph
June 15th, 2014, 09:47 AM
Thanks for adding the last pic Tony. I had given myself the task a while back of putting together that very group. I see that it was a wothwhile goal but now I can just live vicariously through you. The condition of all 3 pens is amazing.