149 NIB Wear - Is this normal?

[Slanski62]

Hello. I have a chance to buy a 149 from a local fellow for $250. The pen is late 80's vintage. I haven't examined it in person, but the seller sent me a couple of pictures. The image of the NIB has me a bit concerned. It looks like the silver-colored plating is wearing off. Is this normal? Please forgive me for my lack of knowledge. THis would be my first MB fountain pen. Thanks.

[Joe in Seattle]

Others are more knowledgeable than I, but, yes, I've seen the bicolour plating worn on MB's, and other brands.

[niksch]

I've got two 149s with plating wear on the nibs.  One is a 70s vintage, and the other is a post-2000 model.  Does it happen, yes...it is normal, no.

[gyasko]

This happens with vintage Parker and Sheaffer 2-tone nibs, too.

[georges zaslavsky]

dunno if MB does the replating on older nibs, otherwise ask a nibmeister

[Barry Gabay]

Congratulations on your recent purchase! You now own one of the all-time great fountain pens. The 149 is, in my opinion, the single best piston-filler of all time. This statement will start a mean fight in some bars. Per your question, the wearing away of the platinum mask on 149 nibs is not un-common. It has no impact on the performance of the pen. I once owned a 1960s-70s 149 14C nib which was nearly all yellow gold; almost all of its platinum had worn off. I second the opinions of both posters e nitsch and george z, both knowledgable gentlemen. Good luck with your new pen. I believe the broken-in, previously-owned, used ones are best.

[hcsk8ter]

It looks like the silver-colored plating is wearing off

 

If you are talking about the platinum inlay, it can oxidize over time especially if the pen is stored with any moisture in the barrel.

 

For example, if a 149 is to be stored for a period of time, dispel all the ink, rinse thoroghly and make sure all water is dispelled as well.

 

As far as the pen goes, I've seen alot worse. Did he show you the pictures before or after you paid? If before, then you knew what you were getting. if after, and it bothers you, request a refund.

 

However, as Barry pointed out. This is the flagship pen of this franchise. As long as the iridium on the point is good, the 149 is bar none one of the best fountain pens available. And $250 is an excellent price considering they go for around $700 retail.

 

Enjoy.

Edited April 5, 2009 by hcsk8ter

[Blade Runner]

Last I checked, Fountainpenhospital's price for a 149 was $570.

[niksch]

It looks like the silver-colored plating is wearing off.

 

Typically what you'll see is minor discoloration of the gold on the nibs of that manufacturing period.  The gold will almost turn a rose gold color.  Frequent polishing of the nib will also facilitate removal of the Rhodium plating on the nib.  Like Barry says, it affects the functionality of the pen not at all.