Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 47

Thread: ON THE HUNT FOR A 149

  1. #1
    Member JParanee's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2020
    Posts
    38
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked 38 Times in 17 Posts
    Rep Power
    0

    Default ON THE HUNT FOR A 149

    Hello all

    I’ve been looking for a 149 and wanted something pristine

    Bought one for close to 400 bucks and when it arrived I returned it due to a frozen up piston

    So ....I just bought this pen and I have not received it yet

    They called it in new condition and from the 70’s

    Thoughts on this pen and is it from the 70’s ?

    What value would you put on it ?























  2. #2
    Senior Member Wile E Coyote's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    18SWK7534504853
    Posts
    998
    Thanks
    221
    Thanked 686 Times in 401 Posts
    Rep Power
    14

    Default Re: ON THE HUNT FOR A 149

    Tree-fiddy

  3. #3
    FPG Donor ♕ Chrissy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    United Kingdom
    Posts
    11,405
    Thanks
    6,879
    Thanked 10,367 Times in 3,978 Posts
    Rep Power
    24

    Default 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.
    Last edited by Chrissy; February 15th, 2020 at 12:11 AM.
    Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens

  4. #4
    Member JParanee's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2020
    Posts
    38
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked 38 Times in 17 Posts
    Rep Power
    0

    Default Re: ON THE HUNT FOR A 149

    Thank you

    As soon as it arrives I will confirm all amd post back

  5. #5
    Senior Member guyy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Location
    Brooklyn NY
    Posts
    775
    Thanks
    381
    Thanked 618 Times in 344 Posts
    Rep Power
    8

    Default 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.

  6. #6
    Member JParanee's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2020
    Posts
    38
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked 38 Times in 17 Posts
    Rep Power
    0

    Default Re: ON THE HUNT FOR A 149

    Quote Originally Posted by guyy View Post
    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

  7. #7
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2018
    Location
    East Coast of US
    Posts
    171
    Thanks
    276
    Thanked 238 Times in 83 Posts
    Rep Power
    7

    Default 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.

  8. #8
    Member JParanee's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2020
    Posts
    38
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked 38 Times in 17 Posts
    Rep Power
    0

    Default Re: ON THE HUNT FOR A 149

    Quote Originally Posted by Barry B. Gabay View Post
    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

  9. #9
    Senior Member guyy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Location
    Brooklyn NY
    Posts
    775
    Thanks
    381
    Thanked 618 Times in 344 Posts
    Rep Power
    8

    Default 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.

  10. #10
    Senior Member Fermata's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Posts
    488
    Thanks
    187
    Thanked 598 Times in 298 Posts
    Rep Power
    8

    Default Re: ON THE HUNT FOR A 149

    Quote Originally Posted by guyy View Post
    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.

  11. #11
    Member JParanee's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2020
    Posts
    38
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked 38 Times in 17 Posts
    Rep Power
    0

    Default 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

  12. #12
    Senior Member Fermata's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Posts
    488
    Thanks
    187
    Thanked 598 Times in 298 Posts
    Rep Power
    8

    Default Re: ON THE HUNT FOR A 149

    Quote Originally Posted by JParanee View Post
    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!
    Last edited by Fermata; February 17th, 2020 at 11:28 AM.

  13. #13
    Senior Member FredRydr's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    Carlisle, Pennsylvania USA
    Posts
    4,909
    Thanks
    1,396
    Thanked 6,390 Times in 2,505 Posts
    Rep Power
    18

    Default Re: ON THE HUNT FOR A 149

    Quote Originally Posted by Fermata View Post
    ...Once you get beyond a hundred or so its very difficult to use every pen that you like....
    LOL!! True enough.

  14. #14
    Senior Member KBeezie's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Grand Rapids, Michigan
    Posts
    2,067
    Thanks
    165
    Thanked 1,642 Times in 665 Posts
    Rep Power
    12

    Default Re: ON THE HUNT FOR A 149

    Quote Originally Posted by FredRydr View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Fermata View Post
    ...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.

  15. #15
    Member JParanee's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2020
    Posts
    38
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked 38 Times in 17 Posts
    Rep Power
    0

    Default 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

  16. #16
    Senior Member carlos.q's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    On a hill in Puerto Rico
    Posts
    1,698
    Thanks
    2,215
    Thanked 1,818 Times in 797 Posts
    Rep Power
    12

    Default Re: ON THE HUNT FOR A 149

    Quote Originally Posted by JParanee View Post

    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.

  17. The Following User Says Thank You to carlos.q For This Useful Post:

    KBeezie (February 17th, 2020)

  18. #17
    Senior Member KBeezie's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Grand Rapids, Michigan
    Posts
    2,067
    Thanks
    165
    Thanked 1,642 Times in 665 Posts
    Rep Power
    12

    Default Re: ON THE HUNT FOR A 149

    Quote Originally Posted by carlos.q View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by JParanee View Post

    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.

  19. #18
    Member JParanee's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2020
    Posts
    38
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked 38 Times in 17 Posts
    Rep Power
    0

    Default Re: ON THE HUNT FOR A 149

    Ill post back when it arrives with impressions

  20. #19
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2020
    Location
    Portland, OR
    Posts
    27
    Thanks
    30
    Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts
    Rep Power
    0

    Default 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.

  21. #20
    Senior Member KBeezie's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Grand Rapids, Michigan
    Posts
    2,067
    Thanks
    165
    Thanked 1,642 Times in 665 Posts
    Rep Power
    12

    Default Re: ON THE HUNT FOR A 149

    Quote Originally Posted by Bunk2019 View Post
    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.

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •