Restoration Of A Meisterstück L139

[christof]

I'm not a Montblanc collector at all. But recently, I had the oportunity to pick up a nice Meisterstück L139 in decent condition. The prewar Meisterstücks are really iconic pens and the price was fair so I couldn't resist...

 

I have to mention that I was not able to check the pen before buying (Even, I have not seen it before...). So I was a little bit nervous when opening the package. This is the pen how it came to me, in really nice condition:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7170/6789200617_cda9a6c433_b.jpg

The cap is made of hardrubber, that's why there is no shrinkage and the capbands, even the tiny silver bands are tight as when the pen was new.

 

Here's the huge nib. I do not know if it ever was platinum plated or not. Now, it's just plain gold. This nib contains probably five times much gold as a Pelikan 400 nib!

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7029/6789204659_1ef952fd4e_b.jpg

 

To be honest, I do not disassemble a $3000 pen every day, so I was a little bit excited while doing this... but every thing turned out well. A new cork seal was fitted also. (I never have done one with this huge diameter...)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7153/6789203427_42c353785f_b.jpg

 

And this is how the pen looks now, assembled again. I do not like vintage pens wich have been polished to death. So I've tried to save something of the vintage patina, even on the silver cap bands:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7011/6789201839_9f30b712d0_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7170/6789206595_dd29d5f664_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7010/6789205147_ef6cc3ddc3_b.jpg

Hope you did enjoy my little fotostory...

[hari317]

Absolutely marvellous!

[Mauricio]

Christof,

 

Congratulations for a well done job. You were certainly very courageous to undertake this project in a $3k pen. Gorgeous pen, by the way. Now it is even more special as you restored it yourself.

Thanks for sharing your story and that beautiful pen with us.

[markiv]

Now that's some photostory - Congratulations Christof.

[georges zaslavsky]

that is just awesome

[Bryant]

Nice job! Those lines look great in the window. Congrats!

[Soot]

Christof, congrats on the L139! You really cleaned up the inside of the barrel, very beautiful!

Btw, how do you clean the inside to get that color back?

 

*** Don't forget to post some writing samples for us! :clap1:

Edited January 30, 2012 by Soot

[christof]

Btw, how do you clean the inside to get that color back?

 

just soaking in clean water and rubbing out with a soft paper towel. no big deal - it's all in the condition of the pen.

[SimonOW]

Lovely job. Think I'm in love with that MB... Shame I'll never again be able to spend that sort of money on a pen.

[Wael El-Dasher]

Looks fantastic! Congratulations on this very special find. You did a great job cleaning it up.

 

Use it in good health.

 

cheers

 

Wael

[Michael R.]

Wonderful!

 

What a great pen and work you performed.

 

Enjoy it in good health.

 

Cheers

 

Michael

[sunnerd]

That's beautifully done. Congrats and thanks for sharing!

Do you need to put in any sealant on the screw between section and barrel? If so what is it?

[christof]

Do you need to put in any sealant on the screw between section and barrel? If so what is it?

 

i've heard that originally bees wax was used. but i only take pure silicon grease, also for parker vacs and "51"...

Edited January 30, 2012 by christof

[sunnerd]

Thanks!

[Marijan]

Marvelous!!!

 

Best regards!

Marijan Radaljac

[pavoni]

Wow! Well, that is my fix for the day.

 

Thank you Christof for this very special treat. An L139 , dismantled! and your usual fabulous photography. :clap1: Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmm What more could one ask for?

 

Pavoni.

[Josele]

It's great. Thank you for sharing with us this exciting disassembly.

[specialk0449]

That is a beautiful pen. You did a magnificent job with your restoration. Your photos are the always the very best. This is my favorite MB of all.

[draeroheli]

Wow!!! Fantastic. Lovely to see your pen. Congratulation.

[talkinghead]

Christof,

 

 

BRAVO!! :clap1: :clap1: :clap1:

 

I tend not to participate in any of the many "Grail Pen" threads elsewhere on FPN...........but......................For me, this is THE ULTIMATE pen.......

 

 

Rick