Montblanc 138

[Michael R.]

The Montblannc Meisterstück 138 is one of the pens which comes in a variety of interesting variations. Some sources claim that it was only produced for one year (c. 1939) but I also was told that much later versions (1940's - 1950's exist).

 

When having the chance to look at several 138s you will see that (almost) none is like the other.

 

I've seen pens completely made from celluloid while others combine a hard rubber cap, gripping section and filling knob with a celluloid barrel. Also I have seen at least three different versions of the clip including the famous waisted Meisterstück clip, the older drop-clip or later striped clip. Of course there are also variatons in the used imprints (e.g. imprints indicating export models) but also in the ink view window. Later pens show a short, striped ink window while earlier ones show a long ink window.

 

An additional feature of some pens which makes me believe that pens were assembled postwar, is the occurrence of different nib/feed constructions. Later pens sport a screw-in nib unit which is only expected on post-war pens.

 

After war material shortage seems to have caused the assembly of original Montblanc Frankenpens using whatever parts were available at this moment of time but the way the pens look it is easy to believe they were produced this way at the factory.

 

Usually the Meisterstück 138 is associated with non-gold palladium nibs which were used for a short period of time during war years. The use of solid gold was restricted in Germany so other precious metals were used. At this point it is not clear to me if Montblanc's palladium nibs are solid palladium-alloy or plated. In most cases the palladium nibs are marked with an ornated P. To resemble the look of the traditional two-tone gold nib the silver palladium nibs originally were treated in a way to look two-tone as well. I always thought that the silver palladium nibs were gold plated but Montblanc expert Max from maxpens told me recently that the palladium nibs were partially treated with heat to cause a golden discoloration. Unfortunately this treatment was not very stable so most palladium nibs are found bright silver today.

 

But some Montblanc 138 were fitted with gold nibs even of smaller size (most often in combination of the screw-in nib units).

 

On last weekend's pen show in Nürnberg I had the chance to inspect almost 10 different 138 pens and all were different showing most of the above mentioned features in different combinations.

 

Finally I decided to get the pen I like the best with what I consider early features. I liked it most because of the great condition. Especially the striped ink window was kept nicely.

 

Osman Sümer sold me the following pen:

 

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn140/PENSnINKS/Montblanc/Montblanc138closed.jpg

Montblanc Meisterstück 138 on a matching catalog.

 

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn140/PENSnINKS/Montblanc/Montblanc138capimprint.jpg

Well kept imprint.

 

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn140/PENSnINKS/Montblanc/Montblanc138open.jpg

This models shows a nice, long ink window with black stripes in good condition.

 

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn140/PENSnINKS/Montblanc/Montblanc138nib.jpg

The flexible nib shows few remainings of the golden color. Please note the P for palladium.

 

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn140/PENSnINKS/Montblanc/Montblanc128and138.jpg

Comparing the 138 to its predecessor: the 128. The 138 is a piston filler using the famous telescopic mechanism and a transparent celluloid barrel while the 128 is made completely from hardrubber using a push button mechanism. The 138 also is slightly longer.

 

I'm sure many of you can come up with more different features found on the Meisterstück 138 pens. I'd love to learn about them.

 

Cheers

 

Michael

Edited June 15, 2011 by Michael R.

[sunnerd]

Lovely find Michael!

Is your nib a size 6 or more like size 9?

[georges zaslavsky]

awesome find thanks for sharing

[pavoni]

You have bagged yourself a super MB 138 Michael, congratulations. And your photos are as excellent as ever. Love seeing your posts, which are truly inspirational to me as I close off my collection.

 

I too was under the impression that the famous MB 138 - supposedly rarer than its famous big brother MB 139 - was only in production for the one year, 1938. However, your findings and conclusion – that the pen was issued possibly up to the end of the 1940s, seems far more plausible, given the circumstances in Germany at the time and the number and variations around today.

 

The wonderful Max currently has my 138 for a make-over and as such, your post has added to my excitement about its return.

 

Thank you for sharing.

 

Pavoni

[Makar]

Thanks - great write up on 138 thoughts. Look forward to owning one sometime!

 

Stephen

[daenghafez]

Congratulations! Such a stunning pen! Thanks for sharing the photos and excellent inspirational review. Looking forward to have one in my collection some day. Can be a company to the Dumas.

[JLS1]

Wow - what a fantastic addition to your collection! Congratulations!

 

Generally speaking and based on what you saw at the pen show, approximately how much does a 138 in decent shape cost?

[Makar]

Wow - what a fantastic addition to your collection! Congratulations!

 

Generally speaking and based on what you saw at the pen show, approximately how much does a 138 in decent shape cost?

 

Last two that I missed (eBay) went for £850 and £900 or thereabouts - the second one looked particularly good and I should have gone more but just couldn't. Buying from a reputable pen seller would be twice that much or more I expect?

 

Stephen

[Michael R.]

Many thanks for all of your nice comments. I'm really happy with this pen.

 

If you want to dig more into the world of 138s I can recommend Tom's pen database which is accessable from his site: Penboard; just type 138 in the search database window in the upper right window. You will see many variations of that pen.

 

Lovely find Michael!

Is your nib a size 6 or more like size 9?

 

I actually would say it is a 8-size between the 6 and 9 size.

 

But some later 138 I saw came with #6 14K gold nibs.

 

I too was under the impression that the famous MB 138 - supposedly rarer than its famous big brother MB 139 - was only in production for the one year, 1938. However, your findings and conclusion – that the pen was issued possibly up to the end of the 1940s, seems far more plausible, given the circumstances in Germany at the time and the number and variations around today.

 

The wonderful Max currently has my 138 for a make-over and as such, your post has added to my excitement about its return.

 

Pavoni

 

That's what is stated by many sources but I believe in pens which have been produced and/or assembled during more than just one year.

 

I have a 1939 news catalog from the famous German Montblanc store Stöffhaas (shown here: 1939 Stöffhaas catalog) which still lists the 138. Also I cannot imagine that Montblanc changed shape and material of so many structural parts (like the cap, nib unit, barrel,...) during the production of just one year.

 

Of course pens may have been produced later from whatever was left...which makes it sort of a mystery pen Also I think it is very hard if an unusual combination of features was sold this way originally or is the result of a later service or repair (maybe even by Montblanc).

 

Thanks to Michael Steiner of www.fountainpen.de it also has a small section on the 138 (138 on fountainpen.de).

 

I'm sire Max will turn your 138 in a nicely working beauty as well. Please share som pictures and thoughts as soon as you will get it back.

 

Wow - what a fantastic addition to your collection! Congratulations!

 

Generally speaking and based on what you saw at the pen show, approximately how much does a 138 in decent shape cost?

 

Last two that I missed (eBay) went for £850 and £900 or thereabouts - the second one looked particularly good and I should have gone more but just couldn't. Buying from a reputable pen seller would be twice that much or more I expect?

 

Stephen

 

Well, unfortunately the 138 do not sell for cheap but still less than some modern limited editions.

 

The pens I saw at the Nürnberg Pen Show usually sold between 900 and 1500 Euro. Ebay of course might be cheaper with all its known risks and fun :roflmho:

 

Another interesting source of information are Gary Lehrer's quarterly catalogs on GoPens. Usually a 138 is listed every second or third catalog. Older catalogs are still accessble through his website.

 

Cheers

 

Michael

[sunnerd]

Lovely find Michael!

Is your nib a size 6 or more like size 9?

 

I actually would say it is a 8-size between the 6 and 9 size.

 

But some later 138 I saw came with #6 14K gold nibs.

 

Thanks Michael - when you inspected the other 138s, did you come across a #6 with Pd nib?

My 138 has a Pd nib and looks like a #6, see the following nib shot from top to bottom - 139, 138, 136, 134, and 132.

 

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3313/5840332123_75b8cc653b_b.jpg

[Makar]

Nice comparative image Kai - thanks

 

I wish MB still produced the standard meisterstuck range with that style of grip. I really like it!

 

Any chance of getting the image opened out a bit more to see all of the pens?

 

Stephen

Edited June 17, 2011 by Makar

[ozwill45]

That is some serious nib eye candy Kai.

[Blade Runner]

Thank you for an interesting presentation Michael. I really enjoyed the mystery aspects of this model. Congrats!

[RedSox04]

Is that a black ebonite section? Then celluloid body of course

[Michael R.]

Thanks Michael - when you inspected the other 138s, did you come across a #6 with Pd nib?

My 138 has a Pd nib and looks like a #6, see the following nib shot from top to bottom - 139, 138, 136, 134, and 132.

 

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3313/5840332123_75b8cc653b_b.jpg

 

Nice line-up of nibs (and pens)!

 

I think all Pd nibs I saw were larger than the gold nibs.

 

Is your Pd nib pushed into the section or does it already use the screw in unit. The smaller nibs I saw all used a screw-in unit.

 

I really cannot tell from your picture but it might be larger thant the 1X6 nib ?!

 

 

Is that a black ebonite section? Then celluloid body of course

 

On my pen everything is hardrubber except the celluloid barrel. I believe the celluloid barrel is made from transparent celluloid with the black parts (end piece and stripes) being coated to it from the outside and inside.

 

Cheers

 

Michael

[RedSox04]

Cool. That thing help up unbelievably!

[ChicMama777]

Fantastic presentation! I have a vintage 138 and was delighted to get info on it! Thank you for sharing!

[idazle]

Yeah, very useful thread, including that pic comparing the different 13x nib sizes. I think moderators should consider to put a link to this thread in the "Important Articles Montblanc Pinned Index" pinned at the beginning of this MB Forum.

[ChicMama777]

I agree with idazle!