A flea market bargain

[KrazyIvan]

Definitely something wrong with it; it doesn't seem to write in English.

I did not think that model/year could do that. :P

[BikerBabe]

Manoeuver and Writingrav: Well - it *is* german after all!
KrazyIvan: The pen can write english, but it needs a little coercing and convincing at first - and a treat afterwards.

[Bogon07]

Manoeuver and Writingrav: Well - it *is* german after all!
KrazyIvan: The pen can write english, but it needs a little coercing and convincing at first - and a treat afterwards.

UK English (Scones & Tea) or US English (Apple Pie & Coffee) ?

[BikerBabe]

German - grammar and poems, and maybe a little Nietzsche if it has been really good.
After all, it was born and raised in Germany. *wink*

[vhr5]

Hi, I checked out your photos... that is a great find! Nice job! We have tons of flea markets and antique stores here in Ohio, but I have never looked for a fountain pen in them. Perhaps I will try... who knows what I may discover.

[Mags]

Fabulous find on the MB pen at a flea market. The advantage of living in Europe is seeing these older pens.

[BikerBabe]

Hi again guys, first I'd like to apologise for my delayed reply. I've been down with flu and double pneumonia like most of Denmark at the moment, thank god it's over and done with this time around.

VHR5: Thanks, I'm just so happy about this total bargain! *wink*
I can recommend the flea markets and thrift shops, I've managed to find nice old fountain pens, inkwells (both silver, brass and stone), rocker blotters, dip pens, pen racks and pen wipes at reasonable prices.
Most of my fountain pens were found at flea markets and thrift shops, sometimes all it takes is a bit of patience and a lot of asking around.
If you visit thrift shops regularly, maybe you can get the staff to write down your name and phone number and then get them to call you if they get something interesting, pen-wise. I have done that and it's starting to pay off now.
Sometimes the sellers at the flea markets has got shops, online or physical; ask for a business card or an online url, most are happy to provide you with this.
I hope that you find some true bargains out there.

Mags: Thanks, I agree, I will be on the lookout for more bargains over here. *wink*

[vhr5]

Hi again guys, first I'd like to apologise for my delayed reply. I've been down with flu and double pneumonia like most of Denmark at the moment, thank god it's over and done with this time around.

VHR5: Thanks, I'm just so happy about this total bargain! *wink*
I can recommend the flea markets and thrift shops, I've managed to find nice old fountain pens, inkwells (both silver, brass and stone), rocker blotters, dip pens, pen racks and pen wipes at reasonable prices.
Most of my fountain pens were found at flea markets and thrift shops, sometimes all it takes is a bit of patience and a lot of asking around.
If you visit thrift shops regularly, maybe you can get the staff to write down your name and phone number and then get them to call you if they get something interesting, pen-wise. I have done that and it's starting to pay off now.
Sometimes the sellers at the flea markets has got shops, online or physical; ask for a business card or an online url, most are happy to provide you with this.
I hope that you find some true bargains out there.

Hello BikerBabe! I'm glad that you are feeling better! Thanks for the suggestions, I'm sure I may find some good buys out there if I keep my eyes open.

[BikerBabe]

Hello BikerBabe! I'm glad that you are feeling better! Thanks for the suggestions, I'm sure I may find some good buys out there if I keep my eyes open.

Hi again, and thanks - I hope you find a lot of good bargains over there. *wink*

[john]

Can't image only US$18 for a Mont Blanc, awesome!

[BikerBabe]

Hi John.

I must admit that I thought the lady at the flea market stand meant euro when I asked about the price. When she said DKK, I dug into my pocket and dragged out my wallet and paid up, thanking her.
And on my way home I thanked my lucky star, that was definitely a bargain for a MB!

[john]

It's a very very very good deal

[Bogon07]

Hi John.
And on my way home I thanked my lucky star, that was definitely a bargain for a MB!

Your lucky Mont Blanc star.

[BikerBabe]

Your lucky Mont Blanc star.

Hah yes, what else but that?

[CS388]

Hi John.

I must admit that I thought the lady at the flea market stand meant euro when I asked about the price. When she said DKK, I dug into my pocket and dragged out my wallet and paid up, thanking her.
And on my way home I thanked my lucky star, that was definitely a bargain for a MB!

Y'know, even if she had meant euro, it would still have been a good deal for that pen.
As it is - complete bargain!
Congratulations.
Fingers crossed that you find some more.

Enjoy.

[BikerBabe]

Y'know, even if she had meant euro, it would still have been a good deal for that pen.
As it is - complete bargain!
Congratulations.
Fingers crossed that you find some more.

Enjoy.

Thank you, I'm still hunting.*wink*
And yup, even if it had been euro, it would have been a cheap price for a MB.

[whych]

The piston should be cork and needs to seal properly. Best way to do this is to put the whole pen in water and work the piston till it has water on both sides of the piston. Flush the pen out with it under the water - you will get ink out from both ends.
Leave it a few days to soak, changing the water every time it gets inky after flushing - this should also get most of the old ink out the cork and body.
The water on the top part of the piston will evaporate.
When you use the pen, keep turning it nib up, nib down, to keep the cork wet.
If the pen does dry out, don't force the piston but soak it till it loosens or else you could damage the cork.

Enjoy the pen and make sure you have lots of ink. Those broad nibs drink the stuff.

[BikerBabe]

Hi whych, and thank you for the excellent advice, I'll do that.
And I've got no need to worry about ink - I've got three or four bottles of blue ink, and ditto of black, that ought to last me for a while. ;-)

[whych]

And I've got no need to worry about ink - I've got three or four bottles of blue ink, and ditto of black, that ought to last me for a while. ;-)

If the broad nib German Piston fillers were cars, they would be the equivalent of gas guzzling American V8's and you would have all the green guys on you for using too much petrol!
If you are going to use blue or lighter colours of ink, make sure the cork has as much of the old ink out as possible. You will probably need a few fills to get the black out and get the true blue/lighter colour through I think.
I think yours is one of the more sought after models.
Somewhere around I have a link to the insides of the pen and how it comes apart. I'll send it to you when I discover it.
(Not an MB collector, prefer Pelikan, Faber Castell and Geha - they are cheaper without the extra for the 'snob' value )

[whych]

Have a look at:
http://www.caprafico.com/pens-88
For some MB reference docs.