Montegrappa And Makers Marks.

[jar]

The Sterling parts on a Montegrappa pen will carry a Makers Mark stamp as well as Hallmarks.

 

1055 VI would signify the older Aquila owned company.

1140 MI those products made during the Richemont phase.

Pens made during the current Aquila owned company will carry a 2670 VI stamp.

[eric47]

The Sterling parts on a Montegrappa pen will carry a Makers Mark stamp as well as Hallmarks.

 

1055 VI would signify the older Aquila owned company.

1140 MI those products made during the Richemont phase.

Pens made during the current Aquila owned company will carry a 2670 VI stamp.

 

And the question is?

 

According to this, there's the Italian "province" in there. Vi for Vincenza where Bassano del Grappa is located. MI for Milano, which makes some sense because Richemont even moved servicing to Milan (Montblanc actually).

 

Anyway that's a cool way of identifying the period of the pen.

Edited October 12, 2011 by eric47

[jar]

The Sterling parts on a Montegrappa pen will carry a Makers Mark stamp as well as Hallmarks.

 

1055 VI would signify the older Aquila owned company.

1140 MI those products made during the Richemont phase.

Pens made during the current Aquila owned company will carry a 2670 VI stamp.

 

And the question is?

 

According to this, there's the Italian "province" in there. Vi for Vincenza where Bassano del Grappa is located. MI for Milano, which makes some sense because Richemont even moved servicing to Milan (Montblanc actually).

 

Anyway that's a cool way of identifying the period of the pen.

 

Correct, the letters will show the "province" as you mentioned.

 

While it tells us something about when the parts were made and who made them, it will be less helpful regarding which of the three firms actually sold the pen initially. When Richemont bought Montegrappa from the Aquilas it would have included inventory that carried the older 1055 VI stamp. When the Aquilas bought the company back it would have included inventory with the 1140 MI stamp.

 

It will help downstream to at least place a pen's manufacture date within one of the three eras.

 

Now I just hope that I can remember where I put this info when I need to determine a pens era someday in the future. Getting old and forgetful sucks.

[eric47]

Now I just hope that I can remember where I put this info when I need to determine a pens era someday in the future. Getting old and forgetful sucks.

 

Actually I think it's pretty easy to remember -- but not down to the 4 digit code:

 

1055 VI - older Aquila owned company.

1140 MI - Richemont phase.

2670 VI - current Aquila

 

Note for the two phases of Acquila ownership in VI (Vincenza, Veneto), the 4 digit numbers start accordingly with 1 (1st Acquila), and then 2 (2d Acquila). Milan (MI) is where Montblanc Italy is located, and hence the Richemont period.

 

At least I can remember it quickly that way.

 

P.S. Nice new avatar.

Edited October 12, 2011 by eric47