Dating Montblanc 146 (Legrand)

[Jimin]

On 4/28/2023 at 4:34 PM, AcLondon said:

I think (though it's a long while since I was invested in this question) that it could just about be all correct for 1989/90.  Before serial numbers.  On border of monotone/dual tone. 14K rather than 14C nib puts it in later 80s. 'Germany' rather than 'W. Germany' on clip I think is right for 1990. I'm no expert on plastic feeds but that looks like the very earliest iteration. 

Oh Thanks! You are the first one who answers and I appreciate it!

So roughly 1989-1990. This is exactly what I was looking for!

 

Thanks!

[CS388]

1 hour ago, Jimin said:

Oh Thanks! You are the first one who answers and I appreciate it!

So roughly 1989-1990. This is exactly what I was looking for!

 

Thanks!

 

Beautiful!

The monotone gold nibs are my favourite, from this period of 146 pens.

 

I think AcLondon has got it right.

There's also a chance that it has been back to Montblanc for a service, so it has newer body parts with the original nib. (Montblanc service don't repair, they simply replace parts - except the nib. A level three service will basically fit a new pen around your original nib)

 

Whichever, congratulations.

It's a great pen and will last you a lifetime.

[Jimin]

On 5/1/2023 at 12:29 AM, CS388 said:

 

Beautiful!

The monotone gold nibs are my favourite, from this period of 146 pens.

 

I think AcLondon has got it right.

There's also a chance that it has been back to Montblanc for a service, so it has newer body parts with the original nib. (Montblanc service don't repair, they simply replace parts - except the nib. A level three service will basically fit a new pen around your original nib)

 

Whichever, congratulations.

It's a great pen and will last you a lifetime.

Thank you Sir!

 

I was actually debating last night between monotone vs duotone but seems like I got lucky haha!

 

But if change the body, shouldnt they also changed the plastic piston? 

Also, should I be concern of the plastic piston? Maybe change it in the future? 

 

Thank you! 

[CS388]

On 5/2/2023 at 1:01 PM, Jimin said:

Thank you Sir!

 

I was actually debating last night between monotone vs duotone but seems like I got lucky haha!

 

But if change the body, shouldnt they also changed the plastic piston? 

Also, should I be concern of the plastic piston? Maybe change it in the future? 

 

Thank you! 

 

Yes, when they change the body, the new body includes a new piston mechanism.

[Jimin]

9 hours ago, CS388 said:

 

Yes, when they change the body, the new body includes a new piston mechanism.

Thank you! 

[Hemingr]

Hi Everyone,

 

I came here after a google search in a quest for answers. I picked up a 146 at the Dutch Fountain Pen Show today and I'm not quite sure how to date it.

 

Characteristics:

142 long

Single colour gold nib "14K"

No Serial

Capring: "Montblanc Meisterstuck No 146"

Clip ring "Germany (exactly opposite of clip, which is a condition not described in the google doc)

Modern style clip

Ink window without stripes, probably grey.

Feed appears to be split ebonite (as seen in some examples of 70's 146's).

No text on inside of clip.

 

Interestingly there is a small hole under the clip.

 

Pen is decently worn, but no obvious signs of fakery. 

 

To the best of my ability this would date the pen to 1990. Any ideas?

 

Thank you!

Edited June 4, 2023 by Hemingr
clarity

[BenJoeM]

Reviving the thread and looking for some help on this indication.

 

Montblanc 146 I bought at a flea market for $175.  

 

Band: Meisterstuck

Clip - No Serial - W. Germany Lettering (Worn but it is there)

NIB - Bi-Color 14k

Piston - Brass

Feed - Hole 

 

I am attaching photos, but this is a bit confusing to me.  I would say this is 1980-1990 from W-Germany, but the Band Engraving and Nib would scream mid-1990s, and the feed maybe early 2000s. So is the Frankenstein MontBlanc of parts or am I reading it all wrong? 

 

 

 

 

[Paul-in-SF]

How about dating a Solitaire Silver Pinstripe LeGrand 146? Can some of these same markers be used, or is there a separate source of information about these pens? I don't even know when the Solitaire silver pinstripe models were made. 

 

Some characteristics:

 

Ink window -- solid gray.

Clip ring engraved with W-Germany.

Two-tone 18K nib.

Cap ring engraving: MONTBLANC MEISTERSTUCK No. 146 -

Underside of clip seems curved at the edges, rather than flat (like my 1980 resin 146 LeGrand and my 1990 149) -- this point has me a little concerned about authenticity, but I don't know anything about it really.

Length 142 mm

 

[Arghrobert]

Thanks a lot for your work. 

[arellano81366]

Thanks a lot for all the hard work on this chart.

I think that the 146 is a nice pen and for some people is the right size.

I do have one and I like how it feels on the hand.

[JCC123]

So, I have a late 90's Platinum that I bought from Joon Pens and even had the nib swapped out by Montblanc. It's developed a very minor leak around the cap threads on the barrel as I see ink stains when I rub my fingers against the threads. Based on the spreadsheet, it appears that it has a two piece barrel? Or does it have a one piece since I'm not sure if it's accurate? If it's one piece I probably will need to ask Montblanc for a barrel replacement since there must be a hairline crack somewhere, if it's two piece I should be able to repair it myself by putting the bubble gum seal around the barrel.

[008]

Hello

 

I wonder about this pen : https://www.cornerluxe.com/fr/stylos/54807---stylo-montblanc-meisterstuck-plume-a.html

 

It has a 14k monocolor gold nib which corresponds to the period of 75-92

It says "Germany" at the top of the clip which corresponds to the period 91-92 

==> common period: 91-92

During this period, the pistons were indeed made of brass. On the other hand, during this period, the windows were "clear,stripes" and not blue, which is not the case for the pen. Did I use the excel table incorrectly or is it a counterfeit?

 

[Michael R.]

The discussed chart has inaccuracies and missing data.
 

14C/18C (not 14K/18K) nibs on early resin 146 pens (c. 1970s to early 1980s) followed by 14K/18K nibs (early 1980s to early 1990s).

 

two tone nibs were introduced on the 146 pens during the early 1990s (need to check catalogues for exact year but it was no later than 92/93).

 

striped ink windows (after clear gray window; not blue! Blue ink windows was on the 1960s intermediate 146 used to replace 1950s celluloid models which came in for repair) came approx. with the two tone nibs.

 

the pen you show clearly has most features from the 1980s to 1990s. 
 

I don‘t like giving exact years from details like the clip as this is so easy to change or replace.

 

however pen looks authentic.

[008]

3 hours ago, Michael R. said:

Le graphique discuté comporte des inexactitudes et des données manquantes.
 

Plumes 14C/18C (et non 14K/18K) sur les premiers stylos en résine 146 (des années 1970 au début des années 1980), suivies de plumes 14K/18K (du début des années 1980 au début des années 1990).

 

les plumes bicolores ont été introduites sur les stylos 146 au début des années 1990 (il faut vérifier les catalogues pour l'année exacte, mais ce n'était pas plus tard que 92/93).

 

Les fenêtres d'encre rayées (après la fenêtre grise claire ; pas bleue ! Les fenêtres d'encre bleue se trouvaient sur le 146 intermédiaire des années 1960 utilisé pour remplacer les modèles celluloïd des années 1950 qui arrivaient en réparation) étaient livrées environ avec les plumes à deux tons.

 

le stylo que vous montrez présente clairement la plupart des caractéristiques des années 1980 à 1990. 
 

Je n'aime pas donner des années exactes à partir de détails comme le clip, car il est très facile à changer ou à remplacer.

 

Cependant, le stylo semble authentique.

 Thank you for your complete answer  

Do you think the price is fair? considering it's new with box it seems like a good deal

[Michael R.]

Usually you can find used 146 pens (without rare details like first edition models, less common nib width, NOS in box with papers) for 200 to 350 € with some patience.

 

This one looks unused or at least not used a lot. If it‘s exactly what you are looking for and you can agree with the price go for it.

 

Personally I would wait for one closer to a lower price range. But usually I go for the risky deals…

 

The box is a generic Montblanc box from the 2000s and is not period correct for a 1980/90s pen. But I don‘t know if you care for those things.

[008]

1 hour ago, Michael R. said:

Habituellement, vous pouvez trouver des stylos 146 d'occasion (sans détails rares comme les modèles de première édition, largeur de plume moins courante, NOS en boîte avec papiers) pour 200 à 350 € avec un peu de patience.

 

Celui-ci semble inutilisé ou du moins pas beaucoup utilisé. Si c'est exactement ce que vous recherchez et que vous êtes d'accord avec le prix, allez-y.

 

Personnellement, j'attendrais un modèle plus abordable. Mais en général, je choisis les offres risquées…

 

La boîte est une boîte Montblanc générique des années 2000 et n'est pas conforme à l'époque pour un stylo des années 1980/90. Mais je ne sais pas si vous appréciez ces choses.

I wasn’t aware of the box :/. And I’m surprised that it’s possible to find a pre-owned one in good condition for the price you mentioned. Considering that modern Montblanc 146 pens are sold at very high prices (over 700 euros) and that these vintage ones have more charm, a story, and better quality, especially with the brass piston mechanism. I don’t understand the appeal of buying a new one.

 

I was looking for one in very good condition, or even new, with a brass piston and a Fine nib, so this is perfect. However, if you’re saying it’s overpriced for what it is, I could have waited since I’m not in a rush to buy. The issue is that there are so many options available—you have to check if the box is original, if it’s authentic, if it’s not a Frankenstein pen, etc. It’s complicated. So, for simplicity’s sake, I think I’ll keep this one and not return it.

 

Thank you again for your reply.

[Michael R.]

Not overpriced but in the higher range.  Check ebay sold items to get an idea about the current market.

 

If you are looking to not taking much risk check some of the reknown sellers who also attend pen shows. Then it‘s worth buying for a higher price since the pens have been checked and serviced.

 

You might not find the perfect pen right away so feel comfortable trying out, selling if you don‘t like, trying the next one 🙂