Greetings from Cape Town, South Africa. I purchased my Mont Blanc No 149 Meisterstuck in France in 1976, 40 years ago, and (besides one repair) it has given me exquisite service throughout this time. The ink flows like a stream of thought, and the flexible18k gold nib enables one to practise calligraphy writing if one so chooses. Now there's a hairline crack in the nib holder which is causing a slow leak and my fingers get discoloured. See photo. MB say I must pay the service fee. My contention is two-fold: 1) that this fountain pen came with a Lifetime Warranty (admittedly which I no longer have), and that 2) such a hairline crack is an inherent fault which a world class brand (such as Mont Blanc) should repair at no charge. Have any Mont Blanc owners had a similar experience? If so please advise.