Dating Montblanc 149s

[timarti]

Will try to get some pix and sample soon. The line width seems equivalent to my Lamy 1.9 mm italic, except the 1.9 is a bit more angular and the BBB less so.

[timarti]

As promised, here are the pix and writing sample for my Montblanc 149 with the BBB nib, early '70s. As you can see, the BBB 149 line is just a titch wider than the Lamy 1.9. (and much smoother, lol.)

 

 

[Tom Kellie]

[zaddick]

Tina - thanks for sharing. Boy that nib looks terrible. I would be happy to help you find something narrow and shiny. Just send me that pen and I can fix it right up for you.

Edited January 13, 2017 by zaddick

[timarti]

From my cold, dead hands, lol. What are these pointy nibs of which you speak? They sound painful to use. Nibs should be smooth, broad and wet, wet, wet! That is why blotting paper was invented.

Edited January 13, 2017 by timarti

[awl1688]

I learned so much from reading this thread. Makes me want to look for a vintage 149 with an EF nib. LOL

[Tom Kellie]

I learned so much from reading this thread. Makes me want to look for a vintage 149 with an EF nib. LOL

 

 

~ A 149 EF is well worth considering, as they're such reliable writers.

No scratchiness, no skipping, no delay in ink flow...at least in my experience.

If you appreciate sharply clear strokes, a 149 EF is a pleasure to use.

I'm glad that this thread has been helpful.

Tom K.

[penparadise]

As interesting these last postings are they have nothing to do with the dating of a 149.

So I like to ask one of the mods to open a new thread with the last few postings to preserve the primary topic.

[awl1688]

 

 

 

~ A 149 EF is well worth considering, as they're such reliable writers.

No scratchiness, no skipping, no delay in ink flow...at least in my experience.

If you appreciate sharply clear strokes, a 149 EF is a pleasure to use.

I'm glad that this thread has been helpful.

Tom K.

Thanks for the encouragement.

 

I have a 146 with an EF nib and thinking I should try a 149 with a F nib. How do vintage 149's with a F nib perform?

[Tom Kellie]

Thanks for the encouragement.

 

I have a 146 with an EF nib and thinking I should try a 149 with a F nib. How do vintage 149's with a F nib perform?

 

 

~ awl1688:

 

That I don't know, as F is the one and only nib size I don't have.

Others surely will reply, as many do regularly write with F nibs.

My vintage 149 with an M nib is a rock-steady performer.

Tom K.

[Forrester]

Hey guys, I need help dating a 149 and am torn with some of the details:

 

It has the round ebonite grooves from 1955 to 65, the tri colour 18C nib of 1952 to 1959, a plastic filler thread from 1959 to 1985.

 

Would you say without doubt presuming this is real, that this is a 1959 pen due to the 18c nib that stopped in 1959 and the plastic filler thread that started in 1959?

[BlueJ]

I recently bought a 149 with the 18C tri-color nib, and the consensus here was that it was mid-60s production. Apparently those nibs were still in production or distribution well past 1960. You'll do best to post photos of your nib, feed and body, and especially the cap rings.

[zaddick]

18C ran into the mid 1970s. Groozes on the face through the 1960s. Is thr trim ring under the piston cone rounded or sharp edged? Pictures would help, but likely 1960s to 1975 from your description.

[JLocrian]

Hello Everyone,

 

I recently picked this 149 up with what I believe is a medium nib (the seller wasn't sure of the nib size, but it's incredible), and I'm curious as to what you guys' thoughts are on its age. I've perused around the forums and did a bit of research, and from what I gather, it was made late 80's - early 90's. I could be completely wrong though...knowing me, it's pretty scary how likely that is. I digress...

 

Here's some pics:

http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a525/JLocrian/Pens/Montblanc%20149/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_b08_zps7arf7elf.jpg

http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a525/JLocrian/Pens/Montblanc%20149/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_b07_zps3arj8vqj.jpg

http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a525/JLocrian/Pens/Montblanc%20149/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_b0a_zpsc0z4iqfp.jpg

http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a525/JLocrian/Pens/Montblanc%20149/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_b06_zpsxm21zlsz.jpg

http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a525/JLocrian/Pens/Montblanc%20149/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_b0f_zpsnky4h45m.jpg

http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a525/JLocrian/Pens/Montblanc%20149/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_b0e_zpsyg6hcral.jpg

http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a525/JLocrian/Pens/Montblanc%20149/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_b0b_zpsvztigscf.jpg

http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a525/JLocrian/Pens/Montblanc%20149/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_b10_zpsbheyzwzj.jpg

[zaddick]

JLocrian you pen is from about 1985 to 1990. Some time in there they moved to 18K nibs but there us overlap with your 14K. The body and clip are definitely mid to late 1980s. Enjoy your new pen. I am using 3 different 149s today and they are a pleasure.

Edited February 21, 2017 by zaddick

[JLocrian]

JLocrian you pen is from about 1985 to 1990. Some time in there they moved to 18K nibs but there us overlap with your 14K. The body and clip are definitely mid to late 1980s. Enjoy your new pen. I am using 3 different 149s today and they are a pleasure.

 

Awesome! Thanks so much zaddick!

[BlueJ]

I would say more likely F or even EF than M. But a very nice 149 anyway!

[Erik Dalton]

+1 for fine nib. But, that's not a bad thing. My 149's with fine nibs write much more like mediums with nice wet ink lines. I prefer the fine nibs. The medium nibs put down an ink line that is just a little too thick for me to navigate.

[rmoering]

Kai (sunnerd) and I have teamed up! We've consolidated his images and my chart, as follows:http://i573.photobucket.com/albums/ss171/DKbRS/Pens/MB149Dating-2.jpg

Fantastic, thanks for this

[Granddad75]

Hello there. I have my grandfather's Montblanc 149 18C from post Korea but am having trouble dating it, even with the wonderful charts and pics that have been very helpful! It's never been used and is in perfect condition in its white leather hardcase. From what I can tell, has 18C Tri-tone nib, round ebonite grooves face feed, 2 section barrel, and what looks like a round piston ring possibly black plastic (it would only unscrew so far and I didn't want to break anything on this piece of art:)? This is pre-serial number, so only says "Made in Germany" and Montblanc describes it as the LeGrand model. It says 4810,then an "M", then 18C, then Montblanc, then just "750". It could be anywhere from late 50s to early 70s from what I can tell, but I am only just learning about this beautiful piece of history. Any advice would be welcome!