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Thread: Merz and Krell Pelikan 400NN

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    Senior Member Tony Rex's Avatar
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    Default Merz and Krell Pelikan 400NN (set)

    G'day Geeks,

    This thread is about Merz and Krell(MK)produced 400NN in the '70s. I have the opportunity to get all the colours: Green, Black, and Brown Tortoiseshell. I will share their photos and some of my observations when compared to Gunther Wagner(GW) 400. There are plenty of photos of the differences already on Ruettinger: http://www.ruettinger-web.de/e-pelikan-modell-400.html, So I'm not gonna repeat all that, but I will add a little bit more. Okay, without further ado, onto the pics:





    Gunther Wagner on top. Merz & Krell bottom.


    Notice the step on the blind cap on the GW, and flush on the M&K.


    GW cap sleeve dots vs slits on the M&K.


    Artsy shot. Aka. The Jeph preview


    This model has the following different features to model 400NN:
    1. a different style of nib, feed and collar, clip, and (metal!) crown ring
    2. no rim between the mechanism and the barrel
    3. a shorter barrel
    4. A threaded piston housing (normal threading)
    5. A different metal cap sleeve style
    6. Modern style piston stroke (shorter)


    *Addendum mine

    Except on the last point, everything was an improvement. Especially, the additional slits on the metal cap insert. They should prevent hairline crack prone to the older GW models caused by celluloid shrinkage. The crown ring is completely made of metal instead of plated plastic. The clip has a slightly different shape, a thicker ring, and was inscribed with "R9 400 NN" inside the beak. The nib is typical of the era in terms of springiness. I must stress that every part that was normally compatible between GW, is not compatible with M&K. That includes the cap, the crown ring, the clip, the nib collar, and piston parts except the rubber seal. Just keep that in mind.

    That's it for now. I will add the other two (black and green) photos later when I finish the initial cleaning rites with them, eventually leading to the group photo. To be continued
    Last edited by Tony Rex; June 15th, 2014 at 09:29 AM.

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    Default Re: Merz and Krell Pelikan 400NN

    Tony, did I ever tell you that you have marvellous pens?

    Another great winner for your pen stable.

    Keep on bringing them for us to stare at!

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    Default Re: Merz and Krell Pelikan 400NN

    Super comparison shots, great information about the differences and of course super duper pens! More please.

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    Senior Member Tony Rex's Avatar
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    Default Re: Merz and Krell Pelikan 400NN

    Thank you. I'm glad you liked them. And as promised, here it is. The black one:


    The same nice springy F nib..


    And here it is, compared to a less common variant of the black GW (according to christof at FPN):


    Thanks. To be continued
    Last edited by Tony Rex; June 9th, 2014 at 01:37 PM.

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    Default Re: Merz and Krell Pelikan 400NN

    I think I like the black pen even more than the tortoiseshell. The green tint to the translucent stripes of the binde make it beautiful.

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    Default Re: Merz and Krell Pelikan 400NN (set)

    Quote Originally Posted by Tony Rex View Post
    4. Threaded piston housing
    Tony, do you mean that the M&K 400NN Piston unscrews from the barrel instead of being a friction-fit? If so, what is the orientation of its threading (and do you happen to have a photo of the unscrewed piston)?

    -- Constance

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    Default Re: Merz and Krell Pelikan 400NN (set)

    Quote Originally Posted by conib View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Tony Rex View Post
    4. Threaded piston housing
    Tony, do you mean that the M&K 400NN Piston unscrews from the barrel instead of being a friction-fit? If so, what is the orientation of its threading (and do you happen to have a photo of the unscrewed piston)?

    -- Constance
    Hi Constance,
    Yup. Normal threading, I think. I cropped this pic, hope clear enough..

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    Default Re: Merz and Krell Pelikan 400NN

    wow, it does look like it is normal threading. I would have bet BIG that it was normal Pelikan reverse threading.
    Thanks to both of you for the question and the answer.

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    Senior Member Tony Rex's Avatar
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    Default Re: Merz and Krell Pelikan 400NN

    And the green one.

    Nib shot.

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    Senior Member Tony Rex's Avatar
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    Default Re: Merz and Krell Pelikan 400NN

    Group shots. Finials.


    With the Pelikan three-pen case.

    That's it. Thanks for looking. I hope you like the pics. Cheers.

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    Default Re: Merz and Krell Pelikan 400NN

    Glorious.....and congratulations on having all colours.

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    Default Re: Merz and Krell Pelikan 400NN

    Thanks for adding the last pic Tony. I had given myself the task a while back of putting together that very group. I see that it was a wothwhile goal but now I can just live vicariously through you. The condition of all 3 pens is amazing.

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