149 Demonstrator pictures

[Blade Runner]

I can see why demonstrators aren't for the OCD

Yeah, once I got over the fact that demos are going to look a bit unkempt, I found they have a charm all their own.

And these babies are rare as hen's teeth.

 

 

That's interesting. I often carry a 149 in my shirt pocket, and I do get condensation in the cap, especially on hotter days.

When I carry it in my pen case, I don't get the condensation.

 

I can totally believe the case makes the difference. During the day I will bring a pen with me most places but it still says in the Florentine case. That is why I like those cases so much. I just carry one in a pants pocket and I don't have a problem.

 

Sean

Love those cases. Got to get one or two.

[Bryant]

Sean... Well... Wow... Im not sure where you keep getting these, but congrats. Dont stop! By the end of the year, I want to see at least 2 more!

 

I really like both styles its interesting how the ring was left out...

 

I cant wait to see you get an all clear one! Oh... And... 4 Annies! LOL! Sick!!!!

 

I would love to see a 149 Rose Gold Anny Demo with MOP star!

[shrinknib]

Thanks Tim. That picture is a favorite of mine. In a similar spirit, here are the demonstrators on a bed of 75th Anniversary 149 LEs :

 

http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu82/multiechelon/149MDemonstrator/149ThreeDemonstrators_11.jpg

 

Jasam, there are a few other threads on MB demonstrators, but in general I don't think much is known about them. (i.e., how many were made, were they given to people outside MB, etc.)

 

Sean

 

Sean you are a devil!

That is one of the most incredible, extravagant, inspiring photos I have seen here.

Congratulations on the new purchase.

I love the direction you are heading with your pens!

But...how is the half dozen pen rule going??

[sunnerd]

But...how is the half dozen pen rule going??

 

I think Sean has a 10 pen rule... :roflmho:

[jasam]

Thanks Tim. That picture is a favorite of mine. In a similar spirit, here are the demonstrators on a bed of 75th Anniversary 149 LEs :

 

http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu82/multiechelon/149MDemonstrator/149ThreeDemonstrators_11.jpg

 

Jasam, there are a few other threads on MB demonstrators, but in general I don't think much is known about them. (i.e., how many were made, were they given to people outside MB, etc.)

 

Sean

 

Sean you are a devil!

That is one of the most incredible, extravagant, inspiring photos I have seen here.

Congratulations on the new purchase.

I love the direction you are heading with your pens!

But...how is the half dozen pen rule going??

 

 

I concur with you, this are incredible photos....

[emes441]

Love those demos, Sean. I am waiting for the day that I can get one of those.

 

Do you still have the all-Platinum 149?

[Pentech42]

I can see why demonstrators aren't for the OCD

 

the sealant was the first thing I saw when looking at the pens.

 

 

 

[Multiechelon]

Yeah Bry, seeing a demonstrator with rose gold and a MOP star would be sweet. And I also agree that one day I will try to own a clear 149 demonstrator. I just have to find someone willing to sell one.

 

Shrinknib, that is a good question. I currently have 15 pens in my possession. I think my writing rotation will consist of nine pens. I think six was too aggressive of a goal. I have ended up liking nine different inks. So how am I getting to nine? I recently acquired two celluloid 149s but I did not like them enough to keep them so they are going to go. I am not sure how the 13 will get to 9. I know the following six pens are most definitely in the rotation:

 

* 149 75th Anniversary LE (EF nib)

* 149 Demonstrator (EF nib)

* Hemingway (Binderized XF nib)

* 149 Demonstrator (M/B nib)

* 149 75th Anniversary LE (B nib)

* 149 Demonstrator (B nib)

 

I don't know which of the others will go. The others will have to fight it out.

 

Srul, I sold the solid platinum 149 a few months back. That was a great looking pen but in the end I decided it was too heavy for everyday writing.

 

Sean

[hari317]

I had missed the pictures of the third demonstrator.

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/149785-149-demonstrator-pictures/page__view__findpost__p__1591460

 

Sean, the biggest difference that I notice is the coarser pitch of the cap and barrel threads, and the lack of the molded stiffening ribs inside the cap. I have a suspicion that the trim less demo is not injection molded like the rest but turned from bar stock.

 

Thanks for sharing these beauties with us.

 

Regards,

Hari

[shrinknib]

Yeah Bry, seeing a demonstrator with rose gold and a MOP star would be sweet. And I also agree that one day I will try to own a clear 149 demonstrator. I just have to find someone willing to sell one.

 

Shrinknib, that is a good question. I currently have 15 pens in my possession. I think my writing rotation will consist of nine pens. I think six was too aggressive of a goal. I have ended up liking nine different inks. So how am I getting to nine? I recently acquired two celluloid 149s but I did not like them enough to keep them so they are going to go. I am not sure how the 13 will get to 9. I know the following six pens are most definitely in the rotation:

 

* 149 75th Anniversary LE (EF nib)

* 149 Demonstrator (EF nib)

* Hemingway (Binderized XF nib)

* 149 Demonstrator (M/B nib)

* 149 75th Anniversary LE (B nib)

* 149 Demonstrator (B nib)

 

I don't know which of the others will go. The others will have to fight it out.

 

 

Sean

 

 

Hey sean

I love it - a fight to the death between the goliaths of MB!

If you have a spare celluloid 149 you could do without, let me know and I'll see if I can take it off your hands..

That is a great rotation, but based on ink preferences I'd be in trouble. I have about twenty favourite inks so that is a bad recipe.

Hope all is well with you

[Multiechelon]

Hari, you have a good eye. I agree that the third demonstrator is made differently than the first two demonstrators. Its walls are thicker. I don't know enough to know if it was turned from bar stock, but I can believe that might be the case. The other difference I can see is that elastomer piston seal is forward of the other two pens so I assume the piston rod is longer.

 

The pen is going to Niksch tomorrow along with some other pens that need maintenance. So perhaps Eric can add some more insight once he sees it in person.

 

shrinknib, both of the celluloid 149s are also en route to Niksch. I want him to give them the once over before I sell them. The piston mechanism for the celluloid 149 operates a little differently than the modern 149s I am used to. So I have no reason to believe they are anything but perfect, but I just want to verify it before I list them.

 

Sean

[earlcool]

Beautiful pen, do you have a writing sample to further wet our appetites?

Thanks Earl.

[hari317]

The other difference I can see is that elastomer piston seal is forward of the other two pens so I assume the piston rod is longer.

 

 

Hi Sean, I think that is because the piston is not set to its optimal retracted length. It is a simple job and I am sure you will find it is set properly when it returns from its trip to the USA.

 

Regards,

Hari

[niksch]

The other difference I can see is that elastomer piston seal is forward of the other two pens so I assume the piston rod is longer.

 

The piston rod may not be set correctly, and that could be why it appears longer. I'll check when I get the pens tomorrow.

 

Eric

[SamCapote]

The other difference I can see is that elastomer piston seal is forward of the other two pens so I assume the piston rod is longer.

 

The piston rod may not be set correctly, and that could be why it appears longer. I'll check when I get the pens tomorrow.

 

Eric

 

Breathtaking photos. Just amazed like everyone else.

[GardenCity-NY]

Now THAT is an eye catching pen!

[DE30AC]

How should one go about finding one of these?

[johnkim424]

A Demo 149 was never officially made by Montblanc. Rumor has it that some that were made by Montblanc "escaped", but I can not confirm or deny the story. You can have a pen master make a custom pen resembling Montblanc 149 demonstrator but you are going to need to overcome some hurdles. "Torellipens.com", can make a pen that would closely resemble a demo 149 but not 100%. You can not get one with white star and gold bands on the cap would be plain without "Montblanc" engraved. Dimensions would be close but I don't know if the parts would be interchangeable. You can have the pen with Montblanc nib, feed and piston system. I was thinking maybe I can have one made and have someone finish the rest. But in order to do this you would need to sacrifice a Mb 149 for parts. The nib, feed and piston would come fitted to the demo but you need someone to fit the three gold bands and end cap on with white star. I am guessing end cap is a screw on job, since it is held by a screw, but gold bands are going to require a specialist. After it is all said and done, you will have a demo MB 149 just like you see in the picture on this thread. BTW, I was quoted $1500 USD for this custom pen. I however, don't know if this includes a genuine Montblanc nib, feed and piston system. It definitely does not include the end caps or gold bands, throw in another $400 for a good used Mb149. So realistically you are looking at $2000, maybe little more. For me personally, I would rather have a nice celluloid MB 149 or for $1000 more, a MB 139, if I am going to spend over $2000. Of course you can wait until one come on sale but last time I checked the price was near $4000. If you decide to get one please let me know, I just might get one.

[sunnerd]

Well, I heard from a birdie that a fellow member has just purchased a very nice all transparent 149 demo pen lately, after his prized Omas Lucens has gone walkabouts in the postal system... He did pay a princely sum for this privelege though.

 

I look forward to seeing the pen either in picture or in person. Congrats mate! Your retail therapy does work :roflmho:

 

P.S. $2k won't get a 139, maybe a parts pen. Even a naked Hemingway goes for $2k nowadays...

Edited December 19, 2011 by sunnerd

[johnkim424]

You are abosolutely right, $2000 USD, will not get you a MB 139 most of the time. If you read my post, I did say for $1000 more you can get a MB 139. I, however, did score a MB 139 for 1500 euros from one of FPN member. That apporximately equates to $2000 dollars. The pen however, was not in tip top condition but after some TLC, I brought it back to life. It is a great pen with double broad flexible nib that puts down a wet juciy line! If you are patient and willing to do some searching and willing to take some risks, you can score a grail pen.