Question Regarding Early M700 Toledo Nibs

January 16, 2016

First issued M700's were not marked at all. You won't find the Pelikan markings on the turning know. *However* these knobs were also used on pens with two-tone nibs. The nibs were all yellow and many were 20C, and there's a label on the bottom of the black box that will say 20C.

There are even more variations on the M900's.

Regards,

Pelikanyo Paul

May 25, 2016

I have had a long and deep discussion with myself about my pens and have decided to keep them. I had the discussion with myself 'cos there isn't anyone else in the family that will discuss pens, or wristwatches for that matter. I do have more pens than wristwatches. But only just. The family don't use fountain pens (they use ballpoints) and don't use wristwatches (they use their mobile phones). They are all wrong.

It is very difficult to argue with people who are totally blinkered (unlike me). They just don't understand the importance of fountain pens and wristwatches. I feel as though I am fighting a losing battle against an opposition of superior numerical strength. Anyway, the pens are all staying and when I eventually go to the great inkwell in the sky, I will leave instructions for the family to follow, such as which boxes go with which pens. I still love to handle my pens and gently wipe them over with a lint-free soft cloth (in case there are any fingerprints on them). I still use my Souveran 400 set every day too. I am almost tempted to try my gorgeous unused pens, but so far have avoided the considerable temptation. I don't know why I don't use them because eventually their next owners will probably do just that.

There we are, I have made the decision to keep them all and might even start looking for a few more pens.

I have been to a few antique markets and car boor sales plus some charity shops but have had no success in finding any pens of any description. Either there are no pens available in West Glamorgan, South Wales, or there are other (secret) pen-hunters in the area beating me there.

There we are (again) I will keep the pens unless of course someone forces me to sell my collection by forcing me to accept an amazing offer. I guess I will be keeping them then !

George

June 3, 2016

I have had a long and deep discussion with myself about my pens and have decided to keep them. ...

I don't know why I don't use them because eventually their next owners will probably do just that.

I have been to a few antique markets and car boor sales plus some charity shops but have had no success in finding any pens of any description. Either there are no pens available in West Glamorgan, South Wales, or there are other (secret) pen-hunters in the area beating me there.

Good for you!

Re: not using them. That's really up to you. I would say that you might get quite a lot of pleasure out of doing so, but on the other hand, I can easily see the barrier to using them. If you do ink one up, you might consider using a washable blue, which cleans easily.

Antique markets. Strange. I'm not in south Wales, but I do have some experience with the UK antiques/car-boot scene...

Charity shops are usually entirely hopeless for fountain pens in my experience (a 100% failure rate so far). Car-boots will occasionally render something (usually a beaten up Parker that really isn't worth buying at any price). I have had a little luck finding things in antiques fairs (always in need of some work). But it's very hit and miss. And you really have to enjoy the chase/journey for it to be worthwhile. Otherwise I'd imagine it would be very tedious. It's worth asking even if you don't see anything on display.

December 8, 2016

Sure. I'll PM you, let's not make it too easy for those unscrupulous sellers out there.

Hello Peine11,

I would also be very much interested in how to identify a first year M700. All I know about are the monotone nib, the plain piston knob, no "AG925" engraved, four feathers, 4 digit zip code in the manual.

Pelikan seems to be a bit secretive about the serials. I have an idea as to creating a data bank to contain details such as

- number

- engraver

- pen details (nib, knob, AG925, ...)

I believe Pelikan will have coded something into the serial number. For instance, I have a very early M700 (with all abovementioned "early" features) with the serial 1 / L something (forgot the number, but it was 2 digits). The "1" might mean 1986 ("9" would then be 1994). The letter (in this case "L") could denote either a month, a 2-week period, or simply a lot or batch. Finally, I have never seen more than two digits in the number at the end. Possibly, batches are linmited to 99 pens. The engraver is CT, but I guess he has engraved the majority of the M700 sleeves.

If anybody is interested in maintaining such a data bank, I could supply some M700 and M710 serial numbers. Possibly, we can "break" the code. I am maintaining a similar list of Praktisix cameras and lenses. It does pay off informationwise.

Thanks,

Carsten

December 10, 2016

For instance, I have a very early M700 (with all abovementioned "early" features) with the serial 1 / L something (forgot the number, but it was 2 digits). The "1" might mean 1986 ("9" would then be 1994). The letter (in this case "L") could denote either a month, a 2-week period, or simply a lot or batch. Finally, I have never seen more than two digits in the number at the end. Possibly, batches are linmited to 99 pens. The engraver is CT, but I guess he has engraved the majority of the M700 sleeves.

If anybody is interested in maintaining such a data bank, I could supply some M700 and M710 serial numbers. Possibly, we can "break" the code. I am maintaining a similar list of Praktisix cameras and lenses. It does pay off informationwise.

Thanks,
Carsten

My Toledo 700 is 1 / L 93. Engraver CT.