Pelikan 14C 585 Tortoise?

[strngdrvnthng]

Hi all I'm new to this forum and I have a question I hope someone can answer. I recently bought a 'vintage' Pelikan 14C 585 Tortoise fountain pen. When I try to find this model on any website I have no success. Is this model really a model 400? Does the 585 represent a numerical reference to 14 karat gold (as in the nib...700 = 18 karat)? I appreciate your time and expertise in this matter. Thanks in advance, best wishes, John C.

[akiva]

the answer to the nib question is yes. 585 is 14 kt as 750 is 18 kt. Secondly without a pic it is difficult to say which model you have. It would seem likely to be a 400 if it has a single cap band (early model) or double (thick/thin) a M400.

In any case try and post a pic then all will be revealed!!

[strngdrvnthng]

Thanks, Akiva, for the quick response. The pen has not arrived yet. I will try to post pictures when it does. I was worried that it was counterfeit for a moment when I could not find this model anywhere. Thanks again, I will keep you 'posted' . Cheers, John C.

[1000km]

Counterfeit piston-filling Pelikan fountain pens are almost unheard of.

Mis-described pens are much more common - indeed they provide both an opportunity and a threat to the collector.

 

Thanks, Akiva, for the quick response. The pen has not arrived yet. I will try to post pictures when it does. I was worried that it was counterfeit for a moment when I could not find this model anywhere. Thanks again, I will keep you 'posted' . Cheers, John C.

Edited March 3, 2011 by 1000km

[strngdrvnthng]

Thanks, that is reassuring. I appreciate the input. Best wishes, cheers...John C.

[strngdrvnthng]

Okay guys it arrived on Saturday but I kept forgetting to bring the USB cable to transfer my pics. Gonna try to attach them. Here goes. The last couple of pics show the case and the 400? beside my recent 215 for comparison of size/color. Thanks for your input. Cheers, John C.

[D.C. in PA]

Looks like a 400 red/brown tortoise from 1950 - 1956. Very nice!

[strngdrvnthng]

Wow, is it really that old? I absolutely love old stuff that still works. Is the nib really solid gold and not plated? Thanks for the responses. Best wishes, John C.

[penspouse]

It's not plated. Beautiful pen. One of my favorites.

[eric47]

Looks like a 400 red/brown tortoise from 1950 - 1956. Very nice!

 

Not sure about that. If the case is an indication, then it's the old plastic clamshell that they used at least in the late 80s - early 90s. The nib sticker looks like a modern sticker on the old-style M400 pen. The old-style tortoises have a brown cap and knob. What we don't see in the photos would be a big, the feed.

 

I suspect it's an old style 80s-mid 90s M400.

Edited March 10, 2011 by eric47

[strngdrvnthng]

It definately has a brown cap and knob and I'm not sure what you mean exactly by the feed. Thanks for the response, cheers, John C. I also am not sure whether the case and papers are original to the pen. The papers have a 1 800 number, which I think would definately place it in the 80's, I think. Cheers again to all.

Edited March 11, 2011 by strngdrvnthng

[Guest Subvet642]

Looks like a 400 red/brown tortoise from 1950 - 1956. Very nice!

 

Not sure about that. If the case is an indication, then it's the old plastic clamshell that they used at least in the late 80s - early 90s. The nib sticker looks like a modern sticker on the old-style M400 pen. The old-style tortoises have a brown cap and knob. What we don't see in the photos would be a big, the feed.

 

I suspect it's an old style 80s-mid 90s M400.

 

+1 I have one of these that I got from Chuck Swisher some years ago; they are great pens, it is one of my favorites. You're gonna love it, too!

[eric47]

It definately has a brown cap and knob and I'm not sure what you mean exactly by the feed.

 

The black thing under the nib, which "feeds" the nib ink. When in doubt, consult Richard Binder's FP Glossary.

 

Photos of a modern feed here. Note the fins are perpendicular to the long length of the barrel.

 

Photos of a vintage feed here. No perpendicular fins.

Edited March 11, 2011 by eric47

[Bo Bo Olson]

My '90 400 Sovereign has a 'brown' cap and end cap too. It's as black a brown as I'd ever seen. Needed a black cap next to it to see that it was not black.

Only found out it was black by going to

http://www.ruettinger-web.de/e-pelikan-modell-souveraen.html

 

 

more Pelikan stuff

 

http://www.pelikan-g....com/index.html

 

Martin Lehman: Pelikan-guide

 

 

 

Your has a real nice color.

 

Either which way if it's a '80s or a '50's...it has a very good nib.

 

The 400 Sovereign was made from '83-97, the tortoise from '84-96.

[strngdrvnthng]

Thanks for all the info guys. The fins are most definately perpendicular to the long axis. So all the data point to a M400, yes? Circa 1980's-1990's? I agree, either way I think it's a very cool little pen with a great nib. Thanks to all, cheers, John C.