Mont Blanc 149 Repair

[alevin]

This is my first time posting. I am a pre-1930 Sheaffer flat top guy who has the attached Mont Blanc 149 which was willed to my brother-in-law on the death of his father - so much sentimental value for him. He knows I am a "pen guy" so gave it to me for help. The cap is chipped around the logo mountain top at the top of the cap, and the filling mechanism leaks. I sent it to Mont Blanc to repair and they want over $400 to do so. My questions are - what is the this pen worth (not including sentimental value!), year, and where can I get it fixed at a more reasonable price? Many thanks in advance for your replies.

Alex L

[Moonshae]

It looks like a 2-section barrel, dating it at 1985 or later. The nib appears to be tri-color (hard to tell with the glare), which suggests 1991 or later. Check eBay for completed auctions, but 149s of that age regularly post as buy it now for $450-$500, so with $400 of repairs needed, the pen isn't worth much beyond sentimental value. I can't advise on other repair service costs, but the Fountain Pen Hospital in NYC also does repairs. I doubt anyone reputable will be significantly less expensive than MB.

 

At least once the repairs are completed, the pen could be sold to recover the cost of the repair if it ever became necessary.

[vikrmbedi]

is the mechanism, just leaking or broken ?

while turning the knob, look at the ink window... do you see the piston in the ink window when the knob is fully turned out? does it move back when you turn the knob in?

 

if the mechanism is not broken , then it is just the matter of lubricating the piston.

 

there are a lot of helpful guides here about lubricating the piston yourself.

you can get the cap top from ebay and replace it. (held together by a screw)

 

 

as the nib looks fine... I have no idea why you were quoted so high... in my opinion all it need is a level 1 service + new cap so should be (90+45 135$ or so ).

[vikrmbedi]

should have asked, where are you located?

[Chrissy]

I can't understand why you were quoted so high by Montblanc either. That price is for their level 3 service including a replacement nib. Did you request a new nib?

 

I would ring them and ask why a level 1 or level 2 service was not available for that pen.

[meiers]

Yes. Thank you, Chrissy, for your contribution.

Replacement of all the resin parts and the piston should be level 1 service and cost less than $100.

If the nib has to be replaced then you're looking at a higher cost.

Edited May 6, 2017 by meiers

[oPENbooks]

After repairs it would be worth around $300-450 on eBay. You may get more, but I got one there recently with a very minor ding in the cap for under $300. So if it really needs $400 of repairs, it has very little money value. I too am surprised at the charge quoted by MB. Did they indicate that some other work was also needed?

 

If it were my father's pen and of sentimental value, I would get it repaired and enjoy it. It's a beautiful pen.

[zaddick]

As others have noted, that seems excessive for a quote. Are you sure that was not a max cost given? If you sent it to MB they would have provided you with a written quote and a lost of all repairs and costs (including the recommended service level). I can tell you $400 in the US would be the cost for a completely damaged pen with no nib (level 3) or a nib damaged beyond repair. What you describe is level 1 or 2 tops.

 

Pen looks to be from 1970s to about early 1980s. It is hard to be sure from the photos. Is the nib marked 18C or 18K? Seeing the feed would help with dating too.

[alevin]

Wow! So impressed and grateful for the replies.

I attach a picture of the feed and the cap. As you can see the cap needs replacement. I will try ebay. Will any 149 cap fit or do I need an exact match?

I am learning that the feed helps determine the year?

The filling mechanism does work and the nib is beautiful. I filled the pen and enjoyed using it. It wasn't until I went to refill that the leak became apparent so maybe lubrication is all it needs. I live in Philadelphia. Anyone nearby who can do that?

The nib does not need replacement. It says on the nib says

4180

then the logo

18C

Montblanc

750

 

Many thanks!

 

[meiers]

This sounds like level one service. Less than $100. I'd call MB service. eBay is useless when it comes to parts.

[oPENbooks]

If you haven't seen it, there's an extremely useful thread on dating 149s on this website:

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/170282-dating-montblanc-149s/

 

After a quick look, a tricolor 18c nib with the round face feed would seem to date it to the 1950s. Does the filler mechanism have a screw thread or does it pull out like a telescope?

[zaddick]

Your pen is likely late 1960 to mid 1970s. 18C was used until the mid 1970s. The grooved face feed was also used from the mid 1960s to mid 1970s or so. Looking at your first picture, I think you have a screw in piston unit as the ring looks thicker and sharper edged than the older friction fit piston units used up until about 1968. When you open up the piston and look at the metal surface, if you see two little holes like where you could shove a paper clip inside, it is the later screw in unit.

 

Brad Torelli in CT can fix all your issues. Fountain Pen Hospital in NY can fix everything but the cap.

 

If you buy a new cap it needs to be from before about 1985 when they changed the threads on the pen.

[zaddick]

If you haven't seen it, there's an extremely useful thread on dating 149s on this website:

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/170282-dating-montblanc-149s/

 

After a quick look, a tricolor 18c nib with the round face feed would seem to date it to the 1950s. Does the filler mechanism have a screw thread or does it pull out like a telescope?

1950s pens are celluloid until 1958. They have a completely different looking ink window and feed. The resin pens from 1958 onwards have the same feed with a groove in thr face and all the way down the shank. Those feeds were used until the early to mid 1960s.

[empliau]

If you're in the U.S., Brad Torelli can fix it. Send him pictures but in my experience there's just about nothing Brad can't do.

[Pen Nut]

"If you buy a new cap it needs to be from before about 1985 when they changed the threads on the pen"

 

Good tip from Zaddick that is. When messing around with MB desk pens I was caught out by the threads not matching on one occasion, some 149 deskpen caps dont even have threads which is another issue in itself when trying to interchange caps.

[Chrissy]

I'm betting that if Montblanc don't have an older cap to fit this pen, than no-one will.

 

I would go back to Montblanc, say you don't want the nib changed, and get a written quote.

[fountainbel]

Looks to me the cap itself is still OK.

So only the screw-on snowflake cap top needs to be replaced…

Francis

[Kalessin]

If Montblanc Factory Service repairs this pen, it is likely that they'll replace the cap, barrel, gripping section, feed, etc. Pretty much everything but the nib and clip.

 

If keeping more of the pen original is important, I would definitely recommend seeing if a non-Montblanc Factory Service repair person could restore it without changing too much.

[alevin]

Thanks for the replies!

Screw threads on the filler.

It seems from the web link mentioned below that 18C dates it earlier (1950's) but with screw thread filler then late 1950's or early 60's. So the advice on the cap replacement threads is really important.

I will send to Brad Torelli for repair
Thanks!

[zaddick]

Thanks for the replies!

Screw threads on the filler.

It seems from the web link mentioned below that 18C dates it earlier (1950's) but with screw thread filler then late 1950's or early 60's. So the advice on the cap replacement threads is really important.

I will send to Brad Torelli for repair

Thanks!

Again, your pen is not that early. 18C nibs were used until the mid 1970s. Your feed is also later, mid 1960s at least.