incongruous MB149

[SIR]

Seller describes as 1970s, near mint... but it has an earlier nib and later cap, I think (?);
Tricolor 18C nib, solid ebonite feed, two barrel, black plastic filler threads, and 'GERMANY' not 'W GERMANY' on cap.

mb149-1.jpgmb149-2.jpgmb149-3.jpgmb149-4.jpg

Fake, frankenpen, or uniquely genuine?

[Pterodactylus]

As far as I know W Germany was only used quite a short period in the 80s.
Before and after only Germany was used.

Looks good to me, no fake in my eyes, maybe 70s to early 80s.

[jar]

Looks normal to me.

[SIR]

According to the chart, 18C nib was only until mid 60s and is that single unit barrel or two unit?
What's the closest age we can reckon on?

[Z-Tab]

18c would probably also apply to any French market 149s, because of France's gold laws.

[SIR]

Interesting Z-Tab, thank you.

[jar]

According to the chart, 18C nib was only until mid 60s and is that single unit barrel or two unit?
What's the closest age we can reckon on?

Montblanc, like most companies, did not stop using stuff that was already onhand. If they had stock they continued using that stock rather than remake it or throw it away. In addition, different markets have different rules governing things like proof marks, hall marks, date stampings and certification. When you then add in any possible changes or repairs or replacements that might happen over the almost a half century that pen has been around it is not surprising to find variations.

The chart like all such efforts is meant to be a guide rather than an authority.

[FredRydr]

The chart was our effort to date 149s, evolved from feedback on the FPN Montblanc subform from some owners. It'd be a mistake to put too much reliance on it beyond guidance. There have been many exceptions to the chart over the years.

Fred

[SIR]

Many thanks to you all!

Looks good then, but do I have the £450 for it..? (the answer is "no, not really")

[SIR]

FYI anyone who is interested in this particular pen -
http://www.dylanstephenpens.co.uk/pr...vintage-model/

[Barry Gabay]

The pen looks fine. The three-tone 18C nib lasted well into the 1970s in the US and longer Europe. Enjoy your pen!

[SIR]

Cheers Barry but, as much as i'd like it, I'm thinking this one isn't for me - all points considered, it does look fantastic though, doesn't it?

[Chrissy]

Certainly no fake, but that EF nib looks too fine for me. I'm not mad keen on the look of an EF nib on a 149. But that's just me.

Also, is it my imagination or does that nib look like it's set a bit further out of the feeder case than it should be?

[SIR]

does that nib look like it's set a bit further out of the feeder case than it should be?

Kind of looks that way but if you look at the nib and feed underside it doesn't really look as though it is, and other photos of 149 18C nibs appear the same, so I guess not.

[Chrissy]

There are plenty of 149's on eBay that are more of a bargain that this one. I just saw one end at less than £230. But I think it did need it's piston putting back in.

[SIR]

It is good condition though, has desirable attributes (18C tricolor nib and ebonite feed), and is from a reputable seller, so... all in all a reasonable offering; but I'd actually really like one with the telescoping filler and single piece section .

[Chrissy]

It is good condition though, has desirable attributes (18C tricolor nib and ebonite feed), and is from a reputable seller, so... all in all a reasonable offering; but I'd actually really like one with the telescoping filler and single piece section .

There is that. On the other hand, there are more 149 pens with EF nibs that don't sell than there are with other nibs....

[FredRydr]

It is good condition though, has desirable attributes (18C tricolor nib and ebonite feed), and is from a reputable seller, so... all in all a reasonable offering; but I'd actually really like one with the telescoping filler and single piece section .

If you want the telescoping piston mechanism, those are the celluloid pens. In the 149 size, expect to pay $1,500 - 2,000 for a pen without issues up to a fully restored example. If you are willing to accept a pen with problems (celluloid continues to shrink and deteriorate with age, regardless of use or abuse), you can pay less. Beware of poor repairs, especially invisible ones such as to the piston mechanism. Though prices are a bit flat compared to a couple years ago, there remains a steady demand for celluloid Meisterstucks, especially the 149, which keeps prices steady compared to the erratic and declining prices of most other high-end collectible vintage pens. For that reason, high quality restoration work on celluloid 149s is usually worth the expense. Keep in mind that a bargain-priced celluloid 149 added to high-quality restoration expense can easily meet or exceed the purchase price of an already-restored specimen.

As usual, YMMV.

Fred

[SIR]

If you want the telescoping piston mechanism, those are the celluloid pens. In the 149 size, expect to pay $1,500 - 2,000 for a pen without issues up to a fully restored example. If you are willing to accept a pen with problems (celluloid continues to shrink and deteriorate with age, regardless of use or abuse), you can pay less.

Wow, now i know... very valuable information, and enough to persuade me to rethink my requirements!

There is that. On the other hand, there are more 149 pens with EF nibs that don't sell than there are with other nibs....

Maybe I can make the seller an offer...

[Pterodactylus]

Some years ago I acquired on my eBay hunt a pen which was only advertised as I think with something like that: "Old FP not functional" (but in German).

The only picture was really really bad and you could not see much on it.
But I thought it could be a 50s 1xx Montblanc, maybe even a 146.

So I bid on it and took the risk not really knowing what I will get.
The auction price got quite high because of a second bidder (I assume he had the same guess as I had).
Finally I won the auction, not knowing what I would really get.

It could also turned out that I paid a lot of money for nothing.

When I opened the package I saw that I got a 50s Montblanc 144 with a beautiful BB nib.
The only beauty flaw it had was that the cap was cracked once but was repaired (but you can see that it was repaired)
It was full of old ink.

I disassembled the whole pen (the telescopic piston is a awesome piece) cleaned and greased it reassembled it and it worked just perfectly.
I not even needed a new seal.

This was my best pen hunt result Iˋve ever made.

I own now a 142 which I bought at a regular price and this awesome 144.
Most likely I will never acquire a 50s 146 or 149 because of the ridiculous prices asked for them.