Think I May Have Got A Fake. :(

[KY_BOB]

There are several tell-tale signs of it not being an authentic Montblanc.

 

1. (the most obvious and easiest to test) I can't get light to pass through the cap and give off the red glow that my confirmed Montblanc does.

 

2. the nib seems to be slightly magnetic, which solid 14k gold shouldn't be. Correct?

 

3 under a loupe, there appears to be some small areas on the nib that indicate that it could be gold plated rather than solid 14k gold. That could just be some corrosionm not 100% sure.

 

4. the etching "MONTBLANC - MEISTERSTUCK" is not nearly as defined and crisp as my authentic pen.

 

5. There is no serial # which could just mean that it was made prior to 1991 (I think) but if it was, it would have been marked W. Germany. (right?)

 

I'm not a expert on these pens but it seems to me that someone has pawned off a fake.

 

The seller has posted that he accepts returns. I think I need to send it back. What do you folks think?

[KY_BOB]

I can attempt to post photos but I doubt I can get my elcheapo camera to get close-ups that will help.

[jar]

Without good pictures it's hard to say much of anything. What model Montblanc is it?

[KY_BOB]

Without good pictures it's hard to say much of anything. What model Montblanc is it?

 

To tell the truth, I was hoping that someone could tell me the model. I'm a total newbee to fountain pens. I should have done more research first. Here goes a shot at photos.

[KY_BOB]

The seller has replied to me and is willing to take the pen back. He says it is a very old pen and assures me that it is authentic but he will give me my money back.

 

I guess the big think is that I've not heard of a pen that had "Germany" on it with no SN. If it said "W. Germany", I would be less leery of it.

[ethernautrix]

As far as I know, Montblanc doesn't make Meisterstucks with a converter; they're piston fillers.

 

Anyone, correct me if I'm wrong.

 

 

[Soulmaker1]

The model is a 144, converter or cartridge fill with a snap cap. Looks good to me, but this is a commonly faked model. Can you post pictures of the clip. The older ones don't have serial numbers and they may be stamped Germany.

Edited September 25, 2012 by Soulmaker1

[KY_BOB]

As far as I know, Montblanc doesn't make Meisterstucks with a converter; they're piston fillers.

 

Anyone, correct me if I'm wrong.

 

The converter is stamped "Montblanc". I'm not saying your right or wrong, just telling you what I can't get a close-up pic of. I probably won't even use the converter. I'll probably just use cartridges.

 

I did just try a very bright light on the cap and got a hint of red to shine through it. Again, I'm not proclaiming any knowledge, just giving you experts as much info as possible.

[KY_BOB]

The model is a 144, converter or cartridge fill with a snap cap. Looks good to me, but this is a commonly faked model. Can you post pictures of the clip. The older ones don't have serial numbers and they may be stamped Germany.

 

Is it against the rules to post a link to Ebay? His pics are much better than mine.

Edited September 25, 2012 by KY_BOB

[tenurepro]

looks like a 144 with converter. The size / relative dimensions look good from the blurry pictures - nothing is screaming fake, but some close up pictures of the nib/feed will help.

Its ok for the engraving to be worn on an old pen. Also, my converter on my vintage 144 had an silverish looking converter (the new ones are goldish) just like yours.

 

Compare you nib to the pictures below -

modern 144 nib (double bold, yours will likely be more pointy)

 

vintage 144 monotone fine nib

[psychobabble]

It should be ok to post the link to the listing on Ebay. I've seen it done many times as well as I have done the same.

 

As noted by previous posters, it is indeed a 144.

Edited September 25, 2012 by psychobabble

[tenurepro]

Actually - the 144 and the 145 (Chopin) and I think the Mozart all have converters. Your converter looks the same as my vintage monotone 144.

Also, regarding the light; both my 144s have different properties when held to the light - the vintage 144 looks way more red than the modern 144; so not necessarily a solid-test.

 

Are there any specific issues that are raising red flags - poor craftsmanship? odd spelling ? etc.

As far as I know, Montblanc doesn't make Meisterstucks with a converter; they're piston fillers.

 

Anyone, correct me if I'm wrong.

 

The converter is stamped "Montblanc". I'm not saying your right or wrong, just telling you what I can't get a close-up pic of. I probably won't even use the converter. I'll probably just use cartridges.

 

I did just try a very bright light on the cap and got a hint of red to shine through it. Again, I'm not proclaiming any knowledge, just giving you experts as much info as possible.

[KY_BOB]

here is another try using the Ebay pics.

[tenurepro]

The last picture of the clip - is there a hollowed out space where the clip attached to the cap; it is flush on mine

[KY_BOB]

looks like a 144 with converter. The size / relative dimensions look good from the blurry pictures - nothing is screaming fake, but some close up pictures of the nib/feed will help.

Its ok for the engraving to be worn on an old pen. Also, my converter on my vintage 144 had an silverish looking converter (the new ones are goldish) just like yours.

 

Compare you nib to the pictures below -

 

 

vintage 144 monotone fine nib

 

The nib looks identical to this one, just not perfect like this one.

 

I know that my pics suck but the metal on my comverter is silver, not gold.

[KY_BOB]

It should be ok to post the link to the listing on Ebay. I've seen it done many times as well as I have done the same.

 

As noted by previous posters, it is indeed a 144.

 

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MONTBLANC-MEISTERSTUCK-FOUNTAIN-PEN-/160883358696?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&nma=true&si=YA72QRX%2BVJ73P0oIKSVPQ8ntvDM%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

[psychobabble]

The Mozart (114) uses cartridges only, MB doesn't make a small converter. However, there are non-MB converters that I've read about here on FPN. I almost bought one, but filling empty cartridges was much easier.

 

A side view of the clip would be ideal.

[KY_BOB]

The last picture of the clip - is there a hollowed out space where the clip attached to the cap; it is flush on mine

 

There is no hollowed out space, it's solid.

[psychobabble]

The last picture of the clip - is there a hollowed out space where the clip attached to the cap; it is flush on mine

 

There is no hollowed out space, it's solid.

 

 

It looks like a lighting issue to me. So far, I can't say it's a fake. Nothing stands out as fake thus far.

[CS388]

I'd say that looks pretty good.

 

It's a model which is faked SO often, that it's hard to keep up with the counterfeiters - but never seen a fake (yet) with the old style monotone nib.

 

Not got one of these, so can't compare, but my Meisterstucks all have a bit of cap after the bottom ring - ie. the bottom ring is not the bottom of the cap? However, that may be correct for this model, or it may indicate a cap repair in the past?

 

This forum is an excellent guide to authenticity - but the only cast-iron guarantee lies in Germany, either sent there by you or by your local boutique.

But from what I see in the photographs, I don't get alarm bells. Nib looks sweet!

 

Fingers crossed for you.