Montblanc 139

[Knox]

Firstly, a word of apology, as I feel sure this topic has been covered sufficiently by other forum members.

 

At the risk of treading ground that has been adequately trod, I offer this post, including the questions that follow. I do so after hearing from a friend, also a vintage MB fan, about his fondness for this particular pen. I have seen photos, but have never written with the 139.

 

What is the history of the Montblanc 139? Why was it discontinued?

 

Is it true that at least a couple of MB Limited Edition pens are based upon (essentially replicas of) the 139?

 

Finally, I confess that I have found myself hoping for a re-edition of the 139. Or maybe resurrection is the better word. Is this a possibility?

 

Many thanks. I am here to learn so I appreciate the feedback and insights.

[yus2001fr]

The 139 evolves in the 149 ... this is the way of life, new look ! :roflmho:

 

The Writer Edition Hemingway is really a modern version of 139, but with a red body. The Alexandre Dumas evocates also the 139's form.

 

For the revival, I have no information, but it's really a good idea !

 

Regards.

[rockspyder]

The 139 is arguably one of the most revered vintage MB's of all. There is lots of information around, you can make a start by looking at some details on the penboard database, here

There are 3 modern editions based on the 139, the WE's Hemingway and Dumas, and the Year of the Golden Dragon 2000.

I also hope they will one day release something with the 139 shape again

[Azuniga]

Most of your questions have been answered here and I just add something personal.

I have been collecting pens for many years and have more pens that I can use, although I always try them at least once.

I have never had a more lovable pen than MB 139, I have seven and have had more, mostly to have different nibs and conditions,

although something difficult to explain happened with the 139. I could never have the same filling with a 149 for example.

Every time I consider selling one I put it back in the tray which do not happen to me with other pens. I know at least four collectors

with the same particular attraction for 139's

The filling system is quite delicate for the size of the pen though, but with time you learn how to deal with it for the best.

I hope you could get one soon and enjoy it, it is a great pen.

Regards

[specialk0449]

  On 4/4/2012 at 2:58 PM, Azuniga said:

Most of your questions have been answered here and I just add something personal.

I have been collecting pens for many years and have more pens that I can use, although I always try them at least once.

I have never had a more lovable pen than MB 139, I have seven and have had more, mostly to have different nibs and conditions,

although something difficult to explain happened with the 139. I could never have the same filling with a 149 for example.

Every time I consider selling one I put it back in the tray which do not happen to me with other pens. I know at least four collectors

with the same particular attraction for 139's

The filling system is quite delicate for the size of the pen though, but with time you learn how to deal with it for the best.

I hope you could get one soon and enjoy it, it is a great pen.

Regards

 

I totally agree with Azuniga. The 139 is an fantastic pen. If I could only have one pen it would be a 139.

Edited April 8, 2012 by specialk0449

[piscov]

  On 4/4/2012 at 2:58 PM, Azuniga said:

I have seven and have had more

 

Azuniga, you are a lucky men :notworthy1: !!! Be kind and send me one!! Sharing is a wonderfull feelling

Edited April 8, 2012 by piscov

[Azuniga]

  On 4/8/2012 at 10:46 AM, piscov said:

  On 4/4/2012 at 2:58 PM, Azuniga said:

I have seven and have had more

 

Azuniga, you are a lucky men :notworthy1: !!! Be kind and send me one!! Sharing is a wonderfull feelling

 

 

:thumbup:

[josephfabry]

  On 4/3/2012 at 8:04 PM, rockspyder said:

The 139 is arguably one of the most revered vintage MB's of all. There is lots of information around, you can make a start by looking at some details on the penboard database, here

There are 3 modern editions based on the 139, the WE's Hemingway and Dumas, and the Year of the Golden Dragon 2000.

I also hope they will one day release something with the 139 shape again

 

 

 

I own a 139L, a Hemingway, and two Dumas fountain pens. There is something truly compelling with the flat top, thick barrel and huge nib on these pens that cannot be sufficiently put into words.

 

I'd love to own a Dragon, but perhaps some day...

 

Here is my inquiry:

 

I've never seen in real life, or held a Karl the Great Patron of the Arts, but it looks to me that it could also be based on the 139. Does anyone have a combo photo of 139L, Hemingway and Karl the Great together?

 

Please share.

 

OK thanks-

 

Love,

 

Joe

[fountainbel]

  On 4/3/2012 at 2:04 PM, yus2001fr said:

The 139 evolves in the 149 ... this is the way of life, new look ! :roflmho:

 

The Writer Edition Hemingway is really a modern version of 139, but with a red body. The Alexandre Dumas evocates also the 139's form.

 

For the revival, I have no information, but it's really a good idea !

 

Regards.

 

 

Both the modern and vintage Meisterstücks are beautiful pens and excellent writers.

But besides this most important feature , the telescopic filling system of the vintage 13X and 14X series is far superior to the telatively simple filling mechanism of their modern counterparts.

I've lately repaired to many modern 146/149 on which the plastic leadscrew was sheared .

I'm even thinking in making brass replacement leadscrews in the near future.....

Given the precision parts of the telescopic filling system, - hence their fabrication cost - Montblanc will surtely not return to this system.

It would surely increase the production cost with 40%

So externally the modern counterparts my be "look alikes" to the famous 139, but surely not technically.

Just my 2 (Euro) cents..

Edited May 25, 2012 by fountainbel

[specialk0449]

Francis you need to find a near mint L139 now that you have the green striated 146. Of course if you found one needing restoration you could make it look like new.

[georges zaslavsky]

  On 5/25/2012 at 4:52 PM, fountainbel said:

Both the modern and vintage Meisterstücks are beautiful pens and excellent writers.

But besides this most important feature , the telescopic filling system of the vintage 13X and 14X series is far superior to the telatively simple filling mechanism of their modern counterparts.

I've lately repaired to many modern 146/149 on which the plastic leadscrew was sheared .

I'm even thinking in making brass replacement leadscrews in the near future.....

Given the precision parts of the telescopic filling system, - hence their fabrication cost - Montblanc will surtely not return to this system.

It would surely increase the production cost with 40%

So externally the modern counterparts my be "look alikes" to the famous 139, but surely not technically.

Just my 2 (Euro) cents..

True but the price of a 13x or an early 14x is very expensive and not everyone has the money to buy such pens. But even if it is more simply build, the mid 60's-early 80's 149s and 146s perform flawlessly during decades. Also for repairing a 13x or an early 14x, you need to know a specialized repairman and not everyone knows one.

[fountainbel]

  On 5/26/2012 at 3:44 PM, georges zaslavsky said:

  On 5/25/2012 at 4:52 PM, fountainbel said:

Both the modern and vintage Meisterstücks are beautiful pens and excellent writers.

But besides this most important feature , the telescopic filling system of the vintage 13X and 14X series is far superior to the telatively simple filling mechanism of their modern counterparts.

I've lately repaired to many modern 146/149 on which the plastic leadscrew was sheared .

I'm even thinking in making brass replacement leadscrews in the near future.....

Given the precision parts of the telescopic filling system, - hence their fabrication cost - Montblanc will surtely not return to this system.

It would surely increase the production cost with 40%

So externally the modern counterparts my be "look alikes" to the famous 139, but surely not technically.

Just my 2 (Euro) cents..

 

True but the price of a 13x or an early 14x is very expensive and not everyone has the money to buy such pens. But even if it is more simply build, the mid 60's-early 80's 149s and 146s perform flawlessly during decades. Also for repairing a 13x or an early 14x, you need to know a specialized repairman and not everyone knows one.

 

Hi Georges,

 

When stating the vintage telescopic filling system is "far superior" to the modern version, I only refer to the experienced weakness of the "modern" piston lead screw.

 

The considerably higher ink intake of the vintage telescopic pens is a secondary benefit.

 

I'm not sure in how far the mid 60's-early 80's lead screws are superior - i.e. made of a better, stronger plastic - compared to the later versions, but given the number of broken lead screws I've replaced over the last years I'm seriously worried.

 

Agreed that problems start with excessive linear friction of the piston seal, mostly triggered by using highly saturated inks.

 

As soon as one experiences an increasing actuating torque of the filling knob one should be warned !

 

Thorough flushing - aiming to remove crusted ink remains from the ink chamber wall - and regularly greasing of the piston sealing lip are paramount overcoming excessive linear friction risks which may trigger shearing of the plastic lead spindle.

 

The brass telescopic lead screws design of the vintage pens being extremely strong, hence considerably less sensible for these problems.

 

As for maintenance -hence replacement of the cork seal - of the 13X pens, this is a straight forward operation for which no special tools are needed : the filler unit simply screws out from the rear and the complete piston filler- including the piston seal comes completely out.

 

For the vintage 14X series the piston replacement occurs after removing the section.

 

The piston seal can't be removed from the filling knob side on these pens, but comes separately out from the section side.

 

Francis

Edited May 27, 2012 by fountainbel