Is My Mont Blanc 144 Genuine?

[Jessiel]

Hi there!

 

I just bought a Mont Blanc 144 from a local antique fountain pen shop. But I 'm wondering if it's genuine.

 

The pen is plastic, writes pretty well. What concerns me is that there is no serial number at the top of the cap, but there is a Pix trademark at the bottom of the cap. I saw other threads saying the serial numbers started in 1991 while the Pix trademark started in 1997. So there is this disconnect.

 

At the top of the cap, it says "Germany". The cap snaps on. Nib says 4810 and 14k. The converter screws in. Not sure what material the threads are. They look like plastic.

 

Would greatly appreciate any help on this. Thanks much!

Edited March 23, 2016 by Jessiel

[meiers]

Hi there!

 

I just bought a Mont Blanc 144 from a local antique fountain pen shop. But I 'm wondering if it's genuine.

 

The pen is plastic, writes pretty well. What concerns me is that there is no serial number at the top of the cap, but there is a Pix trademark at the bottom of the cap. I saw other threads saying the serial numbers started in 1991 while the Pix trademark started in 1997. So there is this disconnect.

 

At the top of the cap, it says "Germany". The cap snaps on. Nib says 4810 and 14k. The converter screws in. Not sure what material the threads are. They look like plastic.

 

Would greatly appreciate any help on this. Thanks much!

Please, show us the feed and the nib collar up close. Edited March 23, 2016 by meiers

[pajaro]

Probably genuine. Gold monotone nib, 1980s, before serial numbers were added to the clip. The clip and section might be replacements, if the older section trim ring had separated and the pen went through Montblanc service, or if someone replaced the section and clip.

 

The section trim ring, which acts as a clutch ring to hold the cap on by friction with the inner cap, used to come off and the best fix was a new section. The gold trim would wear off of some of the clips, leaving them silvertone, so some clips were replaced.

[pajaro]

I got two different replacement feeds from Montblanc service, finned and flat.

[Jessiel]

Please, show us the feed and the nib collar up close.

Here are some more pictures. Thanks for your help!

[thygreyt]

looks real... or very close to my own 144

 

what looks weird is that the metal at the end of the section is silver, and the rest is gold... its very strange.

Edited March 23, 2016 by thygreyt

[Jessiel]

Probably genuine. Gold monotone nib, 1980s, before serial numbers were added to the clip. The clip and section might be replacements, if the older section trim ring had separated and the pen went through Montblanc service, or if someone replaced the section and clip.

 

The section trim ring, which acts as a clutch ring to hold the cap on by friction with the inner cap, used to come off and the best fix was a new section. The gold trim would wear off of some of the clips, leaving them silvertone, so some clips were replaced.

 

Thank you for the detailed explanation! I'm new to using fountain pens. Much to learn. I love the smaller Mont Blanc pens. Got this 144 for $160. Much cheaper than the $500 ish new Mozart.

[Jessiel]

looks real... or very close to my own 144

 

what looks weird is that the metal at the end of the section is silver, and the rest is gold... its very strange.

It is weird now that you have pointed it out. I didn't even notice it. Thanks!

[FredRydr]

That ring is prone to corrosion. Perhaps the owner polished it repeatedly rather than allowing corrosion to take hold, but thereby polished off the gold plate. Replacement rings are available after-market if you want the one on your pen to match. But yours is original!

 

Fred

Edited March 23, 2016 by FredRydr

[pajaro]

These are a nice pen. $160 isn't bad. I paid $130 in 2010 for a black one. I have three red ones also. The 144 is one of my two favorite pens. The first one I bought in 1983.

[Jessiel]

That ring is prone to corrosion. Perhaps the owner polished it repeatedly rather than allowing corrosion to take hold, but thereby polished off the gold plate. Replacement rings are available after-market if you want the one on your pen to match. But yours is original!

 

Fred

That totally makes sense! Thank you, Fred!

 

Jessie

[Jessiel]

These are a nice pen. $160 isn't bad. I paid $130 in 2010 for a black one. I have three red ones also. The 144 is one of my two favorite pens. The first one I bought in 1983.

 

Yeah, they write really well. Bliss for people with smaller hands.

 

Jessie

[Brufen6OO]

At first glance, the snowflake on top of the cap seems a little bigger than what I'm used to.

 

Aside from the silver ring on the nib collar, the "Germany" engraving on the clip ring also seemed a little off, the font and thickness in particular.

 

But I haven't seen a vintage 144 with monotone nib before, so I am just taking shots here.

[MBFan]

Looks real to me. I would agree with the above comments regarding wear-and-tear/ replacement of vulnerable components.

 

My 144 is one of my best writers, I hope you enjoy yours!

[meiers]

It's authentic.

[mmg122]

You stated that "the cap snaps on". I wasn't aware that any Montblanc Meisterstuck series pens had snap on caps

Am I wrong?

[Matlock]

You stated that "the cap snaps on". I wasn't aware that any Montblanc Meisterstuck series pens had snap on caps

Am I wrong?

 

The 144 cap snaps on, the 145 screws on.

[mmg122]

Thanks, Matlock. Maybe that's why they discontinued the 144. IMO, I much prefer the screw on caps.

[Matlock]

Thanks, Matlock. Maybe that's why they discontinued the 144. IMO, I much prefer the screw on caps.

 

I believe you are right. I have both but the 145 is a far better pen and very slightly bigger.