Identifying Vintage Pelikan (Possibly 300?)

May 12, 2011

Hello,

I just posted a thread in the Waterman forum about identifying a vintage Waterman FP. This Pelikan FP was found in the same place together with a Montblanc 256. I've cleaned it up a little bit and started flushing out the old ink. The piston fill seems to work well.

Identifying the Montblanc was no problem, and hopefully the people over in the Waterman forum can help me with that one. So, that leaves the Pelikan. I've been looking around a little, and based on the size (130 mm with cap on) and the general looks, I think it could be a 300. It would also match well with the time period of the Montblanc 256, and since it came from the same owner it would make sense.

I can't find any markings other than "Günther Wagner Pelikan" and the markings on the nib. Nothing that could confirm my thoughts of it being a 300.

What do you guys think? Is it indeed a 300? And if so, what could it be worth? It's in quite good condition, I can't find any major issues with it.

Thanks,

Hans

May 12, 2011

I've measured the cap and it is 62mm. From a page I found, it matches the length of the 300.

May 12, 2011

It looks like a Pelikan 140 to me. If by 300 you mean the M300 it does not correspond. The 140 was a pen made in the 50-60 period.

May 13, 2011

It looks like a Pelikan 140 to me. If by 300 you mean the M300 it does not correspond. The 140 was a pen made in the 50-60 period.

There actually *is* a 300 that was made between 1953 and 1957, exclusively produced for the export market. They have the exact shape and appearance (esp. the cap) of the 140, but are longer, and are the size of a 400. They were made in black and green striped versions. I have a black striped one. I also have a Gimborn 300, which is a Pelikan 300, but branded for the Gimborn company. I love these pens, because I love 140s, and these are even larger! They seem to be hard to find, but I suspect some of that is that they aren't identified properly all the time. (The M300 is a modern pen that is completely different.)

(Source for dates, etc: Pelikan Schreibgerate by Dittmer and Lehmann, which is a lovely read for a Pelkan nut like me!)

May 13, 2011

Some quick photos. From left to right: Gimborn 300, Pelikan 300, Pelikan 140, Pellikan 400NN. Note that you *might* think you could get a 300 by just putting a 140 cap on a 400NN - and I seem to remember reading somewhere (maybe on FPN?) that not all 300s have "300" on the barrel (though mine does). BUT... Notice the caps of the 300 and 140. The 300 cap is longer. That's how you could tell if you had a 300 vs. a Frankenpelikan.

May 13, 2011

Just adding some on-line info...http://www.pelikan-guide.com/300.html and..http://www.ruettinger-web.de/e-index.html..

Hths in the future..

Fred

May 13, 2011

Thanks for the help!

Here are a few pictures of the dimensions of the pen.

The cap is 62 mm, the total length 130 mm with cap on and the barrel with nib is around 122 mm. Do these match yours?

Thanks,

Hans

Edited May 13, 2011 by OliT

May 13, 2011

Hello,

I just posted a thread in the Waterman forum about identifying a vintage Waterman FP. This Pelikan FP was found in the same place together with a Montblanc 256. I've cleaned it up a little bit and started flushing out the old ink. The piston fill seems to work well.

Identifying the Montblanc was no problem, and hopefully the people over in the Waterman forum can help me with that one. So, that leaves the Pelikan. I've been looking around a little, and based on the size (130 mm with cap on) and the general looks, I think it could be a 300. It would also match well with the time period of the Montblanc 256, and since it came from the same owner it would make sense.

I can't find any markings other than "Günther Wagner Pelikan" and the markings on the nib. Nothing that could confirm my thoughts of it being a 300.

What do you guys think? Is it indeed a 300? And if so, what could it be worth? It's in quite good condition, I can't find any major issues with it.

Thanks,
Hans

Hans

Have a look at this:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4089/4963318794_31cffc4db5_b.jpg

The Pelikan 300 is the third from right. A correct 300 should be marked on cap band and barrel end. There should also be a later logo nib because this pens were made between 1953 and 57.

I will measure my pens tonight. If your pen has the correct 300 measurements and no markings, this would be a very interesting pen!

The worth or price range of a Pelikan 300 can be from $200 (used condition) to $300 (good condition).

BTW: You should ask also Rick Propas.

Edited May 13, 2011 by christof

May 13, 2011

Thanks,

I've had a thorough look at both the barrel and the cap, and apart from the Günther Wagner Pelikan, this marking is the only thing I can find. Not sure what it is.

The person that had this pen, I believe, operated a store that traded in paper and possibly pens as well.

I'll be looking forward to hearing the measurements of your pen.

Thanks,

Hans

edit: I've also sent an email to Rick Propas with the pictures. Hopefully, he can help identify it.

Edited May 13, 2011 by OliT

May 13, 2011

Ive owned 2 or three of these and all had 300 imprint on the barrel and cap.It's common to find 140 caps on 400NNs that then look like a 300 but they aint the right length or indeed kosher.

Edited May 13, 2011 by zaza

May 13, 2011

Thanks for the help!

Here are a few pictures of the dimensions of the pen.
The cap is 62 mm, the total length 130 mm with cap on and the barrel with nib is around 122 mm. Do these match yours?

Measured both my Pelikan 300 and the Gimborn. Cap length matches, as does barrel and closed (well, mine are about 1 mm longer - I think that's within allowable error). Looks good!

(Edit: Somehow I managed to quote without replying the first time!)

Edited May 13, 2011 by kushbaby

May 13, 2011

Thanks for the help!

Here are a few pictures of the dimensions of the pen.
The cap is 62 mm, the total length 130 mm with cap on and the barrel with nib is around 122 mm. Do these match yours?

Measured both my Pelikan 300 and the Gimborn. Cap length matches, as does barrel and closed (well, mine are about 1 mm longer - I think that's within allowable error). Looks good!

(Edit: Somehow I managed to quote without replying the first time!)

Yep, same measurments one mine. Seems that you have correct 300 without imprints. What is Rick Propas thinking?

May 13, 2011

Thanks for the help!

Here are a few pictures of the dimensions of the pen.
The cap is 62 mm, the total length 130 mm with cap on and the barrel with nib is around 122 mm. Do these match yours?

Measured both my Pelikan 300 and the Gimborn. Cap length matches, as does barrel and closed (well, mine are about 1 mm longer - I think that's within allowable error). Looks good!

(Edit: Somehow I managed to quote without replying the first time!)

Yep, same measurments one mine. Seems that you have correct 300 without imprints. What is Rick Propas thinking?

I just rechecked, and my Gimborn *doesn't* have 300 on it - just "Gimborn" on the barrel near the turning knob - then again, it was made for Gimborn, so I would expect it to be differnt. (My Pelikan 300 does say "300" on the barrel, along with "Gunther Wagner", "Germany", and "Pelikan. The cap ring is unmarked.). I wish I could remember where I read that some of the 300s didn't have the "300" on them... (Dittmer and Lehmann don't say either way - they don't mention the "300" imprint, just that they are marked for "Export").

May 13, 2011

I just got out a couple of my 300s and yours looks good, despite the lack of markings. As people pointed out, you can fake the barrel using a 400 with a 140 turning knob, but the cap is another story and your cap seems fine. The only thing I see that I have doubts about is the nib, which looks like a 100N. The nib on the pen should be a 140 nib.

Hope this helps.

February 14, 2012

Hi guys,

I've filled up the 300 with some Pelikan 4001 and it seems to hold ink really well.

The nib is somewhat flexy, which is nice. However, not applying any pressure the ink is very sparse.

How should I go about adjusting the nib? Should I even attempt it?

Here's an example of how it writes (pardon the poor penmanship):

http://i41.tinypic.com/2lu56d4.jpg

First, no pressure, then further to the right, I increased it a bit.

I've been considering selling the pen since it doesn't get any use. Perhaps it better to leave any adjustments to the next owner?

/Hans

Edited February 14, 2012 by OliT

June 29, 2013

Just got the 300 black yesterday. It has the marking of Pelikan 300 Germany at the cap ring. and Pelikan 300 Gunther Wagner Germany (with EXPORT marking on top of it) at the barrel end.

The pen is quite long compared to its identical 140 and have the same length with the 400NN. But its pen clip by far is the longest that that I have seen compared to 140,400 and 400NN.

Both of my 140 and 300 do not have the engraved pelikan logo on cap top. Does this mean it was from the earlier production?

June 29, 2013

Just got the 300 black yesterday. It has the marking of Pelikan 300 Germany at the cap ring. and Pelikan 300 Gunther Wagner Germany (with EXPORT marking on top of it) at the barrel end.

The pen is quite long compared to its identical 140 and have the same length with the 400NN. But its pen clip by far is the longest that that I have seen compared to 140,400 and 400NN.

Both of my 140 and 300 do not have the engraved pelikan logo on cap top. Does this mean it was from the earlier production?

Mines have both the logo on cap top.

The clips seems to be the sames as on Pelikan 400, but no marking at the backside.

Christof