Help Identifying This Montblanc

[shirtdj]

G'Day All,

This is my first post after recently joining the FPN. I'm hoping one or more of the members will be able to assist me in identifying the following pen. After being fortunate enough to acquire my first Montblanc last year on a trip to Europe, a 149, I’ve been enjoying reading the forum posts and learning about the different models and variants.

After buying the 149, I was looking for a matching MB crystal inkwell and ended up buying an inkwell and pen stand on eBay at a very good price. As it turns out the pen stand is too small for the 149 but the bonus was that a MB fountain pen was included with the stand, making the purchase even better value.

 

Any assistance in confirming my diagnosis of the model and vintage of the pen would be greatly appreciated.

 

Unfortunately there is no cap so I can't confirm whether it would have indicated Germany or W. Germany or whether it had a serial number.

 

The following are the characteristics of the pen and I’ve included a couple of photos, excuse the lighting, to aid review:

 

Dimensions: Length (nib tip to end of filler cap) is approx 123mm and the width is approx 13mm
Barrel: ink window with stripes
Nib: Two Tone 14K, quite flexible when compared to the Parker Duofold I'm used to.
Feed: Plastic with horizontal combs ?
Filler Thread: Brass

From the above characteristics, and using the Dating 149’s post images and chart and from reading various FPN 146 posts, I believe it’s a modern 146 post 1990 variant.

 

I’m in the process of sourcing parts to build a cap after enquiring about the costs from MB Technical Services in Australia who wanted between AUS$230 for the cap body and AUS$610 for a complete cap with a pen service. So far I’ve sourced a cap body ($75) and clip ($50), just need a cap top to match.

 

Thanks in advance and look forward to your thoughts.

[tenurepro]

congrats

146... looks like the nib is not aligned well from the pics... does it write well?

[shirtdj]

Thanks.

Appreciate the really quick reply. Thanks for confirming it's a 146.

It writes quite well, nice and smooth. Though it feels a bit unusual being so flexible, to the extent the tip of the nib spreads apart.

[Dillo]

Hi,

 

Yes, it is a 146. You might want to get the nib checked though. It is supposed to touch the feed, or else you may have some problems with it keeping even ink flow. The tips aren't supposed to be so far apart either. It's hard to tell from here, but it might be sprung.

 

Dillon

[meiers]

Nice pen. If it writes and performs to your satisfaction, I wouldn't have it serviced. However, the nib appears to be in need of some attention.

[shirtdj]

Thanks for the replies guys. The state of the nib is one area I had suspicions of not being that knowledgeable wrt fountain pen nibs. It does write well and the ink flow is very consistent. The nib when flexing and spreading appears very similar to one of the other forum posts showing a very flexible nib writing in green ink, which is what made we wonder if it is in fact how the nib should be.

 

I'm going to get the MB tech centre to have a quick look next time I'm near them.

[tenurepro]

newer 4k montblanc nibs are not known for being flexy, so i suspect some accidental damage (perahsp the previous user applied too much press on the downstrokes). But if you are happy with it, maybe you should keep it as is

[Chrissy]

Yes it's a 146 but I would have it serviced and the nib attended to if you don't know it's history.

[olivier78860]

$610 to service this pen ? Isn't it a rude way to hint you into buying a new one ?

 

Montblanc is the overlord of insane fees.

[orfew]

$610 to service this pen ? Isn't it a rude way to hint you into buying a new one ?

 

Montblanc is the overlord of insane fees.

Not so at all. I have had several pens repaired by Montblanc and have never paid more than the standard fee (about 80.00) to get the work done. IN fact on 2 occasions I have a 95% new pen for that price. They replaced everything except the nib and the clip for one standard price.So, no, in my experience (I own 25-30 Montblanc pens) I do not think that this price is unreasonable. Their service has aways been impeccable for me, and I always get treated well in the boutiques.

[sunnerd]

Sounds about right for AU repair costs- a complete ripoff. The AU operation is run by The Hour Glass and they charge for everything they can get away with. Unfortunately our choices are limited. I would try the trusted repairers here first, or if you got mates in US, send it to them and get it fixed there.

Edited August 11, 2013 by sunnerd