Merlin Fountain Pens

[Russianwolf]

Figure this is the best place for this since info is a bit spotty on this brand.

 

After seeing a review of the Merlin 33 on The Pen Habit, I decided to look around for one. And grabbed two that had been rehabbed by someone in Turkey. I was fairly impressed and happy with my purchase even if they are on the small side. Matt had mentioned that he had picked his up for "well below $100" and my experience was likewise. I tried to find out as much as I could on this brand and found extremely little info out there and in fact most of it came from this site and Richard Binder's. These are of course Button Fillers and both have MErlin branded semi-flex 14k nibs.

 

 

I spotted at the same time a Merlin Triumph, that I had found no mention of at all and decided to make an effort to purchase it. Knowing that the piston was stuck, I understood that it was a bit of a gamble. If it actually broke, there were not any parts to fix it and not knowing if there were compatible parts from other manufacturers. But I got it and to my delight, after over a week of soaking and modest cleaning, the piston was free and the pen performed flawlessly. I was so happy that I in fact sent the pen to Richard Binder, Indy-Pen-Dance and Matt Armstrong for a look. This pen is a Piston filler with a Warranted Osmi 14k nib.

 

 

Then I spotted an auction for a Merlin Osmi. Another model that I hadn't heard of and one with very little info on the net. In fact I could only find one reference in a blog post from 2011. Once again, I was able to acquire it and added a 3rd model to my little collection. The down side is that the cap doesn't thread on securely and while I'm not in a rush to correct this, I will do so at some point. Another very nice pen and I'm waiting on more ink to come in to sample it. This is a Piston filler with a Merlin branded 14k semi-flex nib.

 

 

All this while I had known about a Merlin 62 on Etsy but found the price too high. After talking to the seller, we were able to reach what I found to be a fair price and now it is in my collection as well. After a thorough cleaning it needs a little work on the Boch nib that came with it, but far from a lost cause. This is a another model with scant information being the only one I have found mentioned on the net. This is a Piston filler with a Boch 14k nib.

 

 

Now in my research I have found a couple other models. The Merlin Perfect (one mention in the same 2011 blog as the Osmi), the Merlina (a smaller model similar to the 33 found in the same stash that was brought over from the Netherlands), A merlin without a designation (saw this in a youtube video, the pen used a cartridge that the owner swapped over to a Gimborn, I had thought the Merlin brand went out before the cartridge pens became popular) and the Merlin Lady (Saw this one in an ebay lot auction and now regret not nabbing it when I had the chance). I would be interested if anyone has another model of Merlin Fountain Pen. Please share it here and if you are interested, drop me a note and I might add it to my little collection.

 

Mike

Edited July 21, 2015 by Russianwolf

[fountainbel]

Beautiful pens, thanks for shearing.

I specially like the Merlin OSMI, what a beauty !

Unfortunately there is not much kwon about this Dutch brand.

Pens were manufactured for the Dutch market by several German fountain pen manufacturers.

I even expect the beautiful OSMI originates from OSMIA.

Enjoy !

Francis

[Russianwolf]

Thanks Francis, I'm enjoying getting into this new hobby of Vintage pens. Seeing how they work and all of the little variations. These Merlins are a nice start as they are uncommon and yet not very expensive (I paid less than $100 for each one with 4 of them being at or under $50). Right now I'm trying to see if I can identify the size of the nib on the 62 and Triumph (I'm thinking they are likely #3 nibs). I hope to bring them to the DC pen show next month to have a couple experts have a look.

Edited July 21, 2015 by Russianwolf

[amk]

I'm another fan of Merlins, lovely and inexpensive pens but with nice nibs and wonderful looks.

 

Merlin 33s appear to come in two versions, the regular, and the Elegant, which is a little upmarket with nicer cap and barrel ends.

 

The Merlina I suspect was intended as the feminine companion to the 33s. Merlinas and 33s share celluloids.

 

I've never come across the Triumph, though. I must look harder! It appears to be a generation later than the other pens with its more streamlined looks - but of course Merlins were slightly anachronistic anyway.

 

I've found that Merlins come with an assortment of different nibs - sometimes the Merlin nib with the 'M' escutcheon, sometimes Degussa nibs with the lion, and one with a 'warranted' nib. I suspect the latter is aftermarket, but if as I've seen speculated the pen parts were made in Germany but assembled in the Netherlands, maybe the nibs did originally vary depending on what was on hand.

[Bo Bo Olson]

Akkerman, were made by Osmia for the Dutch market. Ciba and Merlin were made for Akkerman by small family companies. Merlin # 33 came in 40 colors.

From Lambrau's book.

Sometimes one should read the next sentence. . I'd read that sentence...in German and not the next, so was under the impression Osmia made Merlin.

 

I don't have a Merlin.....the few times I could have bought one they were in Portugal or Spain on their Ebays....and didn't. The other times LOM prevented me buying the few on German Ebay.

 

Should look more at Dutch Ebay....the next time.

[amk]

Trouble is, Bo Bo, *one* Merlin is never enough. Though true, the addiction is a bit less ruinous than an addiction to Pelikans.

[Russianwolf]

took the opportunity to snap a couple shots of my entire Merlin Family. Left to Right, Merlin Triumph Piston Filler, Merlin 62 Piston Filler, Merlin Osmi Psiton Filler, and Merlin 33 Button Filler.

 

 

 

And the ink windows.

 

 

 

 

Had the pleasure to speak with both Richard Binder and Andreas Lambrou at the DC Fountain Pen Supper Show and show them these pens. Andreas was able to tell me more about the history of the manufacturer and their Dutch distributor and how an opportunity with these pens led to his founding Classic Pens with a partner.

Edited August 16, 2015 by Russianwolf

[Russianwolf]

On its way to me from Germany

 

Merlin Lady - Button Filler - 14k Merlin Osmi nib

 

 

[Russianwolf]

And finally nabbed a Merlina, on its way from the UK.

 

 

 

The Lady arrived and it makes the 33 look like a large pen.

Edited September 9, 2015 by Russianwolf

[Russianwolf]

Finally got a good shot of them by taking them outside.

 

[jthole]

Beautiful pens! I inherited a Merlin 33 from my granddad. They were very common pens here in Holland indeed.

[Azuniga]

A Merlina from Merlin (green) and a Merlin Elite (Brown) just to keep this thread alive…

 

[amk]

Ooooh! a Merlin 'vacumatic'! very nice.

[Azuniga]

Ooooh! a Merlin 'vacumatic'! very nice.

 

It looks like a Vacumatic indeed, but it is a PBF

[apkayle]

I recently picked up a beautiful deep ruby red Merlin 33 and it feels wonderful. I don't mean to hijack the thread, but can any Merlin users here tell me how the section comes out of the barrel? I plan on posting a pic as soon as the pen is restored! ><

[etaylor33]

Just recently learned of these Merlins. Kinda interested in the 33. Anyone out there that can point me in the right direction to acquire one? Doesn't need to be pristine, but I can deal with that too. I found one source in Europe that seemed to have bundle of them, but they're all sold out. Is there a run on these now than Pen Habit reviewed one? Appreciate any help I can get here. Thanks in advance.

[amk]

I've picked up most of mine on ebay in Europe. They come up from time to time, but you'll have to be patient - they're not like Parker 45s which hunt in packs :-)

[Russianwolf]

A Merlina from Merlin (green) and a Merlin Elite (Brown) just to keep this thread alive…

 

Gorgeous

[Russianwolf]

Just recently learned of these Merlins. Kinda interested in the 33. Anyone out there that can point me in the right direction to acquire one? Doesn't need to be pristine, but I can deal with that too. I found one source in Europe that seemed to have bundle of them, but they're all sold out. Is there a run on these now than Pen Habit reviewed one? Appreciate any help I can get here. Thanks in advance.

There just not a common pen. I have one line on a group of them, but haven't heard word in a bit.

[Russianwolf]

Not sure why my pictures are acting up. 62, Osmi, Triumph, 33, Merlina and Lady