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Pelikan Vintage Ns And Nns...

Christopher Godfrey

By Christopher Godfrey
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Christopher Godfrey Vintage

Christopher Godfrey

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While I have searched the history section of Penguin Pens (lovely, informative website!), I have found <mention> of the 100N, 100NN and ditto for the 400s; but I am damned if I understand the differences! I own a 100 (late 1930s?) and a 400 (1950s) and believe them to be straight 100 and 400 models.

 

Likewise some odd designations, like 120/140, etc. This latter concerns me slightly because I bought on ebay a student's pen that might fit into these categories. It is, however, rather unimpressive, being very "plasticky" and having a steel nib that is a bit too rigid for my taste.

 

Can anyone please elucidate? Thanks... (Oh: anyone want to buy a student's Pelikan?)

Edited by Christopher Godfrey
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Christopher Godfrey Vintage

Christopher Godfrey

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Blasted computers! I tried to edit the title to read "NNs"; but it thinks it is more intelligent than me, myself!

What a world we live in! Machines that think for us -- oy, vey! ;^(

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sargetalon Antique

sargetalon

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I will refer you to this site for a nice accounting of the different models and their many variations: http://www.ruettinger-web.de

 

In brief from what I can recall...

 

100: 1929-1938. The first piston filling pen Pelikan produced.

100N: 1938-1951. Similar to 100 but more rounded piston knob. Larger ink capacity and bigger nib.

400: 1951-54. New model introducing the beak like clip. Initially in green striated.

400N: 1955-57. Slightly longer overall (128mm). More rounded piston knob. Produced for a limited time so more scarce and often command a premium price.

400NN: 1957-65. Longer still (130mm) with a more pointed piston knob. Taller, more tapered cap.

400NN: 1973-78. Produced by Merz & Krell for Gunther Wagner. Straight grip and no rim at the piston knob/barrel interface.

120 Type I: Student type pen. Steel nib.

120 Type 2: Made in the 1970's by Merz & Krell under contract from Pelikan. Slight differences in overall design from Type I.

140: Same dimensions as the 120 but has a gold nib and different barrel colors.

 

All of this information should be available at the ruettinger site. I'm sure I missed a lot but it's a start. Hope that helps clear up the confusion.

PELIKAN - Too many birds in the flock to count. My pen chest has proven to be a most fertile breeding ground.

fpn_1508261203__fpn_logo_300x150.jpg

THE PELIKAN'S PERCH - A growing reference site for all things Pelikan

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Christopher Godfrey Vintage

Christopher Godfrey

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Sargetalon, exactly the sort of information I was looking for -- many thanks!

 

So now I have to start looking for NNs, perhaps...I <love> my 100 and 400!

 

Stop press! Correction: after perusing the Ruettinger website, it appears that I own a 100N and a 400NN...I'll get it right, one of these days! Thanks for the lead.

:)

Edited by Christopher Godfrey
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sargetalon Antique

sargetalon

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Glad that I could help. Great pens that you have there.

PELIKAN - Too many birds in the flock to count. My pen chest has proven to be a most fertile breeding ground.

fpn_1508261203__fpn_logo_300x150.jpg

THE PELIKAN'S PERCH - A growing reference site for all things Pelikan

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proton007 Vintage

proton007

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^^

I think the hardest to differentiate are the 140 vs 300 and 400 vs 400N, unless they're side by side.

Edited by proton007

In a world where there are no eyes the sun would not be light, and in a world where there were no soft skins rocks would not be hard, nor in a world where there were no muscles would they be heavy. Existence is relationship and you're smack in the middle of it.

- Alan Watts

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Christopher Godfrey Vintage

Christopher Godfrey

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Many thanks, Christof and Proton007 -- all infirmation gladly received (yes, the picture <does> help, Christof -- I begin to understand, now!)

 

I love those flexible nibs from that age -- only, perhaps, bettered by such as Waterman and Wahl ones from the '20s and '30s (or earlier)? :)

Edited by Christopher Godfrey
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proton007 Vintage

proton007

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Many thanks, Christof and Proton007 -- all infirmation gladly received (yes, the picture <does> help, Christof -- I begin to understand, now!)

 

I love those flexible nibs from that age -- only, perhaps, bettered by such as Waterman and Wahl ones from the '20s and '30s (or earlier)? :)

 

While I'm all for the older nibs, tbh I find the Pelikan package is a knockout. A piston filler, great designing, and a good semi-flex nib.

Edited by proton007

In a world where there are no eyes the sun would not be light, and in a world where there were no soft skins rocks would not be hard, nor in a world where there were no muscles would they be heavy. Existence is relationship and you're smack in the middle of it.

- Alan Watts

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