Think I May Have Got A Fake. :(

[KY_BOB]

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.

 

Here is the best that I can do:

[psychobabble]

Looks good to me thus far. How does it write?

[KY_BOB]

Wow! you guys are great. I was ready to send it back for a refund. If I'm not too mistaken, $160 to my door (no box) should be a decent buy. I plan on using it, so I don't need a pen that is 100%.

 

The seller has a 99% feedback on Ebay and he seems to deal in a lot of pens. I'm starting to think that this is the real deal and at a fair price.

[psychobabble]

 

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!

 

 

The 144's bottom gold ring is indeed the bottom (lip) of the cap. There is no resin after the bottom ring like the 146 or 149.

 

Great advice! Take it to a MB boutique and let them confirm it for you if you are unsettled.

[KY_BOB]

Looks good to me thus far. How does it write?

 

Just got it today. I haven't inked it yet. Since I wasn't sure of the authenticity, I didn't want to mess with it too much. I think I'll get some ink and give it a shot ASAP. I still think I will go with cartridges instead of the converter. It seems like that would be easier and less messy.

[tenurepro]

Looks genuine to me; enjoy!

[psychobabble]

Testing out with a cartridge is a good idea.

 

One thing I forgot about the pictures. A picture so you can see the threads of where the section screws onto the barrel would be good. Is it metal? The pictures posted are too blurry to tell.

[tenurepro]

p.s. KY_BOB; my first post on this form was identical to yours - i wanted to see if my vintage 144 was fake or real

and so it starts....

[KY_BOB]

 

 

Great advice! Take it to a MB boutique and let them confirm it for you if you are unsettled.

 

 

There is only one problem with that. I live in the sticks of West Kentucky. The nearest boutique is over 100 miles away from me. I own an insurance agency and don't get to take a day off just to go pen shopping. I'm probably the only person in town that knows how to pronounce Montblanc much less Meisterstuck.

 

The only people that ever notice the snowflake sticking out of my shirt pocket and the company field reps. I like the pens for me, nobody else.

[KY_BOB]

Testing out with a cartridge is a good idea.

 

One thing I forgot about the pictures. A picture so you can see the threads of where the section screws onto the barrel would be good. Is it metal? The pictures posted are too blurry to tell.

 

The threads are plastic/resin. That worried me too. My rollerball has metal threads.

[psychobabble]

Ah! Not too many MB collectors in that part of Kentucky, eh?

 

BTW

 

The satisfaction of writing with a MB is a reward all into itself. I'm sure you'll get the secret handshake when you meet another with the snowflake protruding from their pocket. :roflmho:

 

Enjoy the pen!

[KY_BOB]

p.s. KY_BOB; my first post on this form was identical to yours - i wanted to see if my vintage 144 was fake or real

and so it starts....

 

Somehow, that scares me. The last thing that I need is another expensive addiction. Scuba diving, boats, and women keep me broke already.

[tenurepro]

hmmm...

the threads on my 144's are metal.

 

Not sure if they were always metal ? Can someone offer a more historical perspective ?

[KY_BOB]

hmmm...

the threads on my 144's are metal.

 

Not sure if they were always metal ? Can someone offer a more historical perspective ?

 

That would be interesting both from a authenticity prospect but also from an age prospect (assuming it's authentic and I'm feeling pretty good about that at this point)

[hari317]

Hello KY_BOB, you have an authentic older generation 144, the plastic section threads and early vertical groove plastic feed on your pen are all correct, rest assured and enjoy your pen.

 

yes, MB makes Meisterstuck with converters, at the moment, the 145 aka classique is one. In the past they made 144 etc.

 

Hari

[KY_BOB]

I can't thank you guys enough for all of the info. I'll try to better educate myself before my next purchase. If I get a few free minutes at work today, I'll get online and order some ink for it.

 

Could anyone take a guess as to the age of it?

[Chrissy]

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

 

Anyone, correct me if I'm wrong.

I'm afraid you are wrong in this instance. They make or made 2 Meisterstucks that take cartridges or converters. The 144/Classic which this pen looks like and the 145/ Chopin. They also make the small Mozart version that's cartridge only.

 

See the Montblanc web site for more details. (I use Montblanc.ch because .com takes too long to load, and Montblanc.co.uk currently diverts to .com)

 

The pictures are a bit blurred. However, the fake that I took pictures of a while ago was a 144 type. In order for it to be an authentic old 144 it must have 2 bands around the pen; one next to the clip and one where it unscrews. It must have a push on cap. It can have either a 2 tone or a monotone gold nib but never a white gold monotone nib, as Mb never made the white gold monotone nib in the 144 size.

 

I would say it looks right for an original 144 with a monotone gold nib.

Edited September 25, 2012 by Chrissy

[ethernautrix]

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.

 

 

Oops. That means I threw away a perfectly good not-fake Meisterstuck. *Blush*

 

 

 

 

 

I kid! Mine were piston-fillers, and I gave them away. One to a very close friend and the other to my brother... and one other, yeah, gave that one away, too. And the rollerball.

 

Holding onto my Hemingway, though.

 

 

I'm glad this one isn't a fake. Whew!

[tenurepro]

Let me know if you want to adopt a little brother or a new BFF

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.

 

 

Oops. That means I threw away a perfectly good not-fake Meisterstuck. *Blush*

 

 

 

 

 

I kid! Mine were piston-fillers, and I gave them away. One to a very close friend and the other to my brother... and one other, yeah, gave that one away, too. And the rollerball.

 

Holding onto my Hemingway, though.

 

 

I'm glad this one isn't a fake. Whew!

[tenurepro]

Thanks Hari - as always - for the excellent education;

I was just going to recommend that KY_BOB pm you directly; Moderators: I suggest that the web interface have a little "H" button - to get Hari to manifest when needed; like a batman signs for all matters mont blanc.

 

Congrats again KY_BOB; nice vintage pen. When you get ink, please post a writing sample as i am curious about the softness of the nib. I found that the vintage monotone 144 fine nib to show a tad bit of line variation.

 

Hello KY_BOB, you have an authentic older generation 144, the plastic section threads and early vertical groove plastic feed on your pen are all correct, rest assured and enjoy your pen.

 

yes, MB makes Meisterstuck with converters, at the moment, the 145 aka classique is one. In the past they made 144 etc.

 

Hari