Re: ON THE HUNT FOR A 149
Re: ON THE HUNT FOR A 149
Does it have a serial number on the clip band? When you unscrew the piston cone does it have brass threads or plastic threads?
Please can you take a picture showing the feed?
It has a Germany sticker on it. A 70's pen would have had a W.Germany sticker on it.
It has a modern striped window in the barrel. A 70's pen would have no stripes in the window.
At the moment I suspect the pen is more likely to be a 90's pen but it's in a 70's box. Answers to the first 3 questions will confirm it one way or the other.
Re: ON THE HUNT FOR A 149
Thank you
As soon as it arrives I will confirm all amd post back
Re: ON THE HUNT FOR A 149
This one looks good for a 1970s 149. The 14c nib came on 1970s pens. The striped window is also correct for a 1970s 149. (The 1970s 146s have the gray window). I would expect plastic piston piston threads and the flat ebonite feed. If it’s late 1970s-early 1980s, it could have the split ebonite feed. “Germany” is also period correct; W. Germany was a 1980s thing.
Re: ON THE HUNT FOR A 149
Quote:
Originally Posted by
guyy
This one looks good for a 1970s 149. The 14c nib came on 1970s pens. The striped window is also correct for a 1970s 149. (The 1970s 146s have the gray window). I would expect plastic piston piston threads and the flat ebonite feed. If it’s late 1970s-early 1980s, it could have the split ebonite feed. “Germany” is also period correct; W. Germany was a 1980s thing.
Thank you
Ill update thread on arrival
Re: ON THE HUNT FOR A 149
That is a beauty and the price is reasonable for that condition in the box. It dates from mid-1970s until 1981-82. Earlier pens from that era will have a solid ebonite feed, and the final years of the era will have split-ebonite feed. Very nice find. Congratulations.
Re: ON THE HUNT FOR A 149
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Barry B. Gabay
That is a beauty and the price is reasonable for that condition in the box. It dates from mid-1970s until 1981-82. Earlier pens from that era will have a solid ebonite feed, and the final years of the era will have split-ebonite feed. Very nice find. Congratulations.
Thank you very much
I’m excited to get it
I’ll post back with better pics as soon as it arrives
If I may ask a question ?
I am assuming this pen has not had its piston moved in a long time
What would be the correct protocol ?
I have also ordered a piston wrench
Should I disassemble and lube straight away ?
If the piston moves smooth .... flush and ink ?
I appreciate all suggestions
Re: ON THE HUNT FOR A 149
It doesn’t look it will need cleaning. In fact, it may not be used at all. The stickers are still on and the ink window is crystal clear. A certain number of people receive these as gifts and never use them.
If it hasn’t been used, you have to choose between inking and using or keeping it mint.
Re: ON THE HUNT FOR A 149
Quote:
Originally Posted by
guyy
It doesn’t look it will need cleaning. In fact, it may not be used at all. The stickers are still on and the ink window is crystal clear. A certain number of people receive these as gifts and never use them.
If it hasn’t been used, you have to choose between inking and using or keeping it mint.
Thats a very good point. People pay extra for a mint older pen and then use it, within a month it looks like it is in used condition, would it have been better to buy an immaculate but used pen perhaps.
All depends if you are a collector or user, easy call if you have just a handfull, a blurry distinction when you have many but use a pen every day.
Re: ON THE HUNT FOR A 149
It will be well maintained but used
Life’s to short not to use the things you like :)
Re: ON THE HUNT FOR A 149
Quote:
Originally Posted by
JParanee
It will be well maintained but used
Life’s to short not to use the things you like :)
Not sure that it is as simple as that, I know someone with a Grand Prix Honda racing motorcycle from 1965, he loves it but cannot use it, I have a very old car from 1955, I cannot use it so much, I also know someone with a coin collection from the era of Charles first and second, never gets used! I have user pens and others that I am not really interested in using, in fact the most knowledgeable man on pens in Europe never ever uses a fountain pen but has an amazing collection into the thousands.
Maybe we have too much anxst about using and not using, its a personal choice. Once you get beyond a hundred or so its very difficult to use every pen that you like, I would spend too much time cleaning flushing and putting away!
Re: ON THE HUNT FOR A 149
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Fermata
...Once you get beyond a hundred or so its very difficult to use every pen that you like....
LOL!! True enough.
Re: ON THE HUNT FOR A 149
Quote:
Originally Posted by
FredRydr
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Fermata
...Once you get beyond a hundred or so its very difficult to use every pen that you like....
LOL!! True enough.
I'm going to have like maybe a whole drawer full of lovlies when i'm that age... and grabbing for whatever the equivalent of a Pilot G2 would be, for fear that I damage any of them in a tremble. On the flip side, I might be like 'F-it... I love this pen". Guess we won't know til we get to be of that particular age, experience, mindset, and mitigating conditions.
Re: ON THE HUNT FOR A 149
I have been someone that collects way to many things from cars to motorcycles to guns, swords and knives
True some are to valuable to use but a $600 dollar pen does not make the cut :)
It will be taken care of but it will go in the rotation
Long ago I realized that in the end I’m going to die and my kids will just sell it all off and hopefully buy something they like so while I’m a maintenance oriented person I like to use some of the things I collect .....for me it’s all part of the fun
My thoughts were more in line with since this is close to a 50 year old pen should it be taken apart and lubed before first use
I guess it will depend on what the piston feels like on delivery
Re: ON THE HUNT FOR A 149
Quote:
Originally Posted by
JParanee
My thoughts were more in line with since this is close to a 50 year old pen should it be taken apart and lubed before first use
I guess it will depend on what the piston feels like on delivery
Also keep in mind that a vintage MB149 is not a TWSBI to be easily taken apart and put back together by inexperienced users.
Re: ON THE HUNT FOR A 149
Quote:
Originally Posted by
carlos.q
Quote:
Originally Posted by
JParanee
My thoughts were more in line with since this is close to a 50 year old pen should it be taken apart and lubed before first use
I guess it will depend on what the piston feels like on delivery
Also keep in mind that a vintage MB149 is not a TWSBI to be easily taken apart and put back together by inexperienced users.
Or an esterbrook J to give a relative vintage comparison of something known to be ripped apart and re-sacc'd.
Re: ON THE HUNT FOR A 149
Ill post back when it arrives with impressions
Re: ON THE HUNT FOR A 149
Are you sure about the "Germany" vs "West Germany" marking? Because after World War II, Germany was divided and became West Germany and East Germany until after the Berlin Wall fell in 1989 and the two countries were not unified until 1990.
Re: ON THE HUNT FOR A 149
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Bunk2019
Are you sure about the "Germany" vs "West Germany" marking? Because after World War II, Germany was divided and became West Germany and East Germany until after the Berlin Wall fell in 1989 and the two countries were not unified until 1990.
Hence the already noted comments saying 90s+ pen, 70s+ Box.