Interesting Serial Number On My 149

[wedgefreak]

I recently picked up what I believe to be a 1990 or 1991 (at the latest) 149 with a split ebonite feed, 2 piece barrel, bi-color 18K nib, brass piston feeder, and with "W.-Germany" stamped (not engraved) on the pen clip. I'm pretty certain of the dating, but one thing has me puzzled. It has a serial number, but the number does not start with two letters like other MBs I own or have seen.

 

It is simply a six digit number with no letters. I know Montblanc started adding serial numbers about this time and I have an early 90s 144 that has a letter/number serial number and "Germany" engraved with the original style of engraving as opposed to what I call the "digital" looking serial numbers that you would see on an MB purchased new today.

 

My search of the internet and FPN has turned up nothing in regard to a serial numbered 149 with no letters. So my question is, does anyone have or has anyone seen a serial number like this with no letters? How long did MB only use numbers before they switched to the letter/number combination? Knowing that may help me narrow down the date even further.

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[rare991]

Hi !

 

i think i can help;

 

i have the same: a 146, with W.Germany and a number with only 6 numbers no letters. the number is old style not a new number

 

in "digital style.

 

there is also a 146, with W.Germany and only 6 numbers no letters at penexchange shop in taiwan.

 

 

I have another interesting 146: i think arround 1994, Germany in new "digital" style and a number old style 2 letters and

 

6 numbers on the other side of the clipring

 

 

i think there are great problems with the Serialnumbers from 1991 till arround 1996:

 

i have a 146 - 1993, 14.2 mm, Germany, Serial 2 letters and 7 numbers, MB could find this pen in there database and told me produced

 

july 1993.

 

i have a 146 - arround 1995 + 1996, the newer ones Le Grand 14.6 mm !!!, Serial 2 letters and only 6 numbers !!!, MB could not find

 

this pens in there database, because they only can find numbers with 2 letters and 7 numbers in there system !

 

a pen from 1993 MB find in there datebase, pens from 1995 and 1996 they cant find !

 

i dont understand what they did with there serialnumbers !

 

maybe i open a tread where everybody post his pens and kind of numbers so we get more information about this mystic numbers.

 

 

kind regards

Mike

[VinaPens]

My MB144 silver 925 18k nib, 2 tone have 2 letter and 6 number. and under the clip engraved "LAITON".

What's the year of my pen ?

[jar]

My MB144 silver 925 18k nib, 2 tone have 2 letter and 6 number. and under the clip engraved "LAITON".

What's the year of my pen ?

LAITON means brass. IIRC the 6 digit numbers were around 1990-1992 then there was a period of 7 digits and then 2 letters and numbers.

[Mister Mont Blanc]

LAITON means brass. IIRC the 6 digit numbers were around 1990-1992 then there was a period of 7 digits and then 2 letters and numbers.

Yes I've also had a pen with two letters and seven numbers instead of six. And now the newer ones (like brand new) are a whole majumble of letters and numbers, more letters than anything! It sure would be cool to have a database of S.N.s that compare the style and combination to the date. And that way people can use that to age the pen as well. Especially with non-fountain pens since there isn't a nib or piston to change. They usually stay they same throughout production years.

[chas0039]

A data base sounds good but I have heard that MB reused numbers. Also, with so many parts changed out with Tier 1 sevice, who is to say what determines the real date?

 

My 146 has a clip and piston from 1994, a nib from the late 1980s, a feed from the early 1990s and, if I send it in to MB, I could easy get new plastic throughout from 2014. What would be the year then?

Edited October 12, 2014 by chas0039

[VinaPens]

LAITON means brass. IIRC the 6 digit numbers were around 1990-1992 then there was a period of 7 digits and then 2 letters and numbers.

Yeas, but mine not only 6 digit but 2 letter follow by 6 digit, and also W.Germany.

Is there any fake pen with LAITON letter under clip ( i know alot of fake pens have PIX).

[Mister Mont Blanc]

Yeas, but mine not only 6 digit but 2 letter follow by 6 digit, and also W.Germany.

Is there any fake pen with LAITON letter under clip ( i know alot of fake pens have PIX).

I've been seeing most recent fakes do have the Pix trademark. But even in authentic pens, some lines have them and some don't. For example the 90th Anniversary models do not have the Pix trademark anywhere. Also I personally have never seen or heard of the "LAITON" imprint until this thread!

[josvandam]

@wedgefreak
A late reaction on your qeustion.
i am trading for several years in pre owned Montblanc pens. Now I do have for the first time a pen with only 6 digits as number and W-Germany

This tells me the pen is made around 1990/1991. Because MB removed the W- in 1990 and they starts numbering in the end of 1990.

Reading the answers on your question I am convinced MB started in the beginning with only digits. I do have a pen, sold in 1992 with two letters and 6 digits.

[Chu0009]

I believe Laiton imprint under the clip is placed in solitaire version, especially if the barrel and cap is made of precious metal but the clip is made of brass. The ring clip will have an additional "metal " imprint and appropriate hall marks on the cap.

 

Newer solitaire may not have these markings. My 146 solitaire geometric dimensions do not have any of the above markings except serial number , Germany and pix on the ring and underside of the clip. Of course a most beautiful MOP !

[Chrissy]

The Chinese actually make excellent close copies of Mb silver solitaire type pens. The fact that they can make an almost identical copy means they can put Pix, Laiton, 925 silver or metal on it if they choose to do so.

[BillZ]

I have a 149 that was gifted to me by a good friend. He said he bought it about 1990. It has the brass piston and 14K nib which dates it to 1990 form what I've been able to find. There is no serial number that I can find. The clip ring only reads W. Germany. I showed it to some knowledgeable people and was told it's genuine MB. Any thought about the lack of serial number?

[jar]

I have a 149 that was gifted to me by a good friend. He said he bought it about 1990. It has the brass piston and 14K nib which dates it to 1990 form what I've been able to find. There is no serial number that I can find. The clip ring only reads W. Germany. I showed it to some knowledgeable people and was told it's genuine MB. Any thought about the lack of serial number?

Only that Montblanc did not start using serial numbers until 1991 or 1992 IIRC.

[BillZ]

Obviously that explains it! Thanks.

[RayCornett]

Anyone have input on this font and engraving style?

Edited November 24, 2018 by RayCornett