Help with a vintage pelikan

**Empty_of_Clouds** · April 16th, 2018, 03:30 AM

I'm not really having any luck getting a decent deal on a nib swap, given that the BB nib is possibly worth more than a standard fine nib (unless I am mistaken - it's happened lots of times before).

So, will this fit my vintage 400NN?

https://www.cultpens.com/i/q/PK02690...cement-14k-nib

**catbert** · April 16th, 2018, 03:56 AM

Originally Posted by Empty_of_Clouds

I'm not really having any luck getting a decent deal on a nib swap, given that the BB nib is possibly worth more than a standard fine nib (unless I am mistaken - it's happened lots of times before).

So, will this fit my vintage 400NN?

https://www.cultpens.com/i/q/PK02690...cement-14k-nib

Didn't you rule out modern nib units?

**Empty_of_Clouds** · April 16th, 2018, 04:11 AM

Don't have any other options. A modern extra fine may be workable.

**AzJon** · April 16th, 2018, 10:12 AM

You can always just look for another nib. These older Pelikans that have screw in nib-units are fairly easy to disassemble. Unscrew the unit, pop the collar off holding the nib, remove nib, clean feed, and the collar over the new nib. Be careful with the collar as they tend to be fragile. In the event of a break, there is a gentlemen out of the UK that makes replacement threaded collars that are much sturdier and well made.

If you like the pen, but not the nib, I would sell the nib unit to fund purchasing a different one or see if someone has one that you might light and be willing to swap units.

**Empty_of_Clouds** · April 21st, 2018, 04:47 AM

Looks like I may have to buy a whole new pen. Just noticed the blind cap on the one I have is marked "BB". Would be a bit strange to have anything other than a BB nib in it, I think.

**Pterodactylus** · April 21st, 2018, 05:00 AM

Originally Posted by Empty_of_Clouds

Looks like I may have to buy a whole new pen. Just noticed the blind cap on the one I have is marked "BB". Would be a bit strange to have anything other than a BB nib in it, I think.

This is a detail most likely only collectors are bothered.

Btw. Did you contacted Lutz?
And if yes what did he say?

**Empty_of_Clouds** · April 21st, 2018, 05:04 AM

It would bother me a little.

I had a look at the website, didn't see any nibs for sale that I could use.

Not very good at contacting people, I am actually quite a shy person, especially with potential language barriers (I don't speak any German).

It's okay. Liquidating some other pens to get funds for a replacement.

**Pterodactylus** · April 21st, 2018, 05:59 AM

That such a unit is not on the site is expected.
I´m pretty sure that he has a bunch of these, he is a (very skilled) repair man specialized on vintage pens.
He had a replacement nib for a MB Noblesse once for me, his service was superb (including a nice handwritten note (of course with FP) when he returned my pen,

He also speaks English so no language barrier.

**welch** · April 26th, 2018, 03:49 PM

Rick Propas is great to work with. He usually has a load of Pelikans...400NN and others. Also nibs from the 1950s and later. Many of his nibs seem to be semi-flex fine. Here are his Pelikans. http://www.thepenguinpen.com/pelikan...for_sale.jsp#2

**Empty_of_Clouds** · April 26th, 2018, 04:32 PM

This project is on hold, possibly abandoned.

As noted in post #41, the BB is likely worth more than a standard vintage fine, so I shouldn't have to pay extra on top of the swap. I can unscrew the unit and fit a new unit by myself - a 'technician' is not required.