244g - Recommended?

[GavH]

I've seen a very nice, shiny looking 244G, c1950 with a BB nib recently. Sellers wants $247. I don't know much about the pen. Can anyone recommend it? At present, the pen fund is going to be released on either a Lamy 2000 with a BB nib, or a Broad Delta Dolce Vita or 149 once it mature sufficiently! Alternately, it could be used for a 244G if it turns out worthwhile. Any thoughts?

[CS388]

If it's the one that posarro is selling on ebay - got to say that it looks spectacular. I'd been looking at it too - but have recently spent all funds elsewhere, so it's just window shopping for me.

 

Never owned a 244 but have held and tried one. Was a very nice writer, medium sized - I'd say this one is at the top of it's price range - but, then again, these are old pens and rarity must be taken into account, so sellers will ask for as much as they can.

I don't know the seller, but the pen looks excellent and if it is not as good as stated, they have 100% feedback, so you should be safe regarding returns and refunds. Of course, you may be looking at a different pen!

 

I ended up with a 254 (with BB nib) from the same period (also high priced) - but it is a fantastic writer and I would pay (too much) again if I lost it.

 

Never had a Lamy 2000 or Broad Delta Dolce Vita, so unable to compare. 149 would be nice, but may be more pricey.

 

I'd say: put a link to the pen, see what others think.

 

Good luck, CS

[GavH]

CS, Thanks. Yes, it is the one by Possaro. Here's the link:

 

ebay 244G

Edited September 24, 2010 by GavH

[yulie1]

Hi There: I have a 244 just like the one being offered. Mine has a broad nib and I really like it. The price for mine was about the same as the e-bay model.

 

Regards,

 

Mark

[kazoolaw]

Can anyone recommend it? At present, the pen fund is going to be released on either a Lamy 2000 with a BB nib, or a Broad Delta Dolce Vita or 149 once it mature sufficiently! Alternately, it could be used for a 244G if it turns out worthwhile. Any thoughts?

 

The 24x series were second tier MB pens. The last number reflects their relative sizes: 246 (roughly corresponding to the 146 size), the 244, and the 242. The nibs vary in size also. I've never held or seen a 244 in the flesh, but my 254 is roughly the same size as a Parker 51. Of the three pens you've listed it's closest to the 2000.

 

I think that the entire series was available with two clip styles: a spade clip and the one shown in the link. The clip shown has an almost deco look to it. With the almost severe look of the black pen with only two narrow cap bands it provides a stylistic focus.

 

So what's special about a black pen? Typically the nibs. With a BB which is correctly adjusted you'll have a smooth flowing stub-like performance. The piston will be smooth, and hold a fair amount of ink, though with the BB it will get used up faster.

 

The 244 is different than any of the three pens you've listed. More traditional than the 2000, with a different feel in your hand, and a full size nib. Very understated compared to the Dolce Vita, and willowy compared to the squared ends of the DV. In the ancestral line of the 149, but smaller in scale from length and width to the size of the nib. They're four quite different pens, yet all of high quality.

 

Let us know what you decide,

gary

[Barry Gabay]

It's a beautiful example of a very nice model. I have one with BO nib, and it's extremely flexible. As Mark and Gary said, it's a very impressive pen, though a totally different feel than the much, much larger 149. Good luck with your decision.

[raulfragoso]

I've recently bought a 246G (which is just a bit bigger than the 244G) with a medium nib and I'm extremely happy with that pen, it actually has the best nib in my collection, quite smooth, very flexible and perfect ink flow

 

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_MCvBWiEoWE4/TJr0rvO3oUI/AAAAAAAAAw8/1spyQav0Qls/s800/IMG_3380.jpg

 

As for the seller 'posarro' on eBay, I've bought a MB 342 from him a couple of months ago and the transaction was quite satisfactory.

Edited September 25, 2010 by raulfragoso

[eric47]

I've recently bought a 246G (which is just a bit bigger than the 244G) with a medium nib and I'm extremely happy with that pen, it actually has the best nib in my collection, quite smooth, very flexible and perfect ink flow

 

As for the seller 'posarro' on eBay, I've bought a MB 342 from him a couple of months ago and the transaction was quite satisfactory.

 

The engraving on yours is super. I also bought a pen from posarro (a modern Tibaldi) and nothing to complain about.

 

About the 244G, I owned own, yet I still own one but don't have it at the moment. I had one with an oblique; the nib was wonderfully flexible and expressive, but the oblique cut drove me crazy -- it was my first oblique. I traded it for one with an EF nib (also very flexible) that's getting restored.

 

The pen is on the smaller size, which can be good or bad depending on what you're looking for. I prefer smaller pens anyway. But with the 244 in particular, with the piston fillers* there is brass and weight at the back/top of the pen. With the 244G that weight sits on my knuckle or in the web of my hand, so the pen doesn't feel top heavy. I held a 246G once, and because of the longer length that pen felt a tad top heavy in my hand.

 

They're nice pens, probably underrated with all the attention on the 14x series of their day.

 

*There are also button-fillers.

Edited September 25, 2010 by eric47

[GavH]

Thanks for all the replies - VERY helpful indeed!