Montblanc 146 Legrand

[Billy1878]

I am seriously thinking of buying a 146 (149s are outside my budget) on eBay uk and I am considering 3.

The first I can get for £270 which is fine nib made in1988 W Germany which apparently were only sold for a year and are rare.

 

The 2nd is a later model medium nib later model with serial number for £220 + postage.

 

The 3rd has a serial number no box £235 + postage no box.

 

Three different sellers with high numbers and 100% feedback.

 

All the pens are 14k and appear to be in the same good condition. I guess what I’m really asking is should I pay £50 extra for the 1988 pen.

 

Quick replies appreciated

Edited February 10, 2020 by Billy1878

[evko]

I am seriously thinking of buying a 146 (149s are outside my budget) on eBay uk and I am considering 3.

The first I can get for £270 which is fine nib made in1988 W Germany which apparently were only sold for a year and are rare.

 

The 2nd is a later model medium nib later model with serial number for £220 + postage.

 

The 3rd has a serial number no box £235 + postage no box.

 

Three different sellers with high numbers and 100% feedback.

 

All the pens are 14k and appear to be in the same good condition. I guess what I’m really asking is should I pay £50 extra for the 1988 pen.

 

Quick replies appreciated

I am sorry I am going to say this, but you should save for a couple of months and get yourself an 149. If you are patient you should be able to get one on eBay for mid or high 300's. 146's are very good and any of the ones you mentioned would be a good buy but 149 is the real deal. Cheers!

[Billy1878]

Thank you for the quick reply Evko.

I knew that would be the likely response and I know that’s the sensible thing to do.

it’s going to be difficult resisting the button.

 

 

[carlos.q]

It's all a matter of personal preference. Although I have and used some very nice MB149 pens the fact is I use my MB146 a lot more.

[torstar]

I have large hands, easily reaching 10 keys on the piano, and the 146 simply isn't big enough.

 

In reverse the 149 may be too large for your hand, seeing as someone has made the recommendation already.

 

As well many Limited Editions are 146s, so if you want a LE, that can be your 146 purchase.

[CS388]

I'd go for the 146 over the 149.*

 

The older monotones are a personal favourite, but £50 extra is a hefty premium, imho.

There are many 146's always available.

You're paying good money, you should get a fully functional pen in very good condition.

If you have any qualms, or second thoughts, step back - there'll be another one along in a minute.

 

Good luck.

 

* That said, I'd never part with my 149

[Doc991]

W.Germany was from 1980 to 1990 ( 1991 ) on MB 146 - NOT only 1988 !!!

 

if you want to buy a 146 you must first know what you want - there are 2 Series of 146 since 1973 !

 

not inkluded the old 146 before 1960 !!!

 

1. 1973 - 1990 - 2 piece barrel, blue/grey ink window, ebonit feeder, monocolor nib, later bicolor

2. 1990 - 1995 - 1 piece barrel, ink window striped, plastik feeder, bicolor nib.

 

1995 the 146 production ended - the Le Grand came out.

 

at ebay a lot noobs sell 146 and call it Le grand , thats wrong.

 

the 146 is 14,2 cm long, the Le Grand is 14,6 cm long.

 

so it depens on you what you like, before you buy !

Edited February 10, 2020 by Doc991

[Billy1878]

That is very useful information.

 

I’m Going to take my time and possibly wait for the right 149.

[Billy1878]

W.Germany was from 1980 to 1990 ( 1991 ) on MB 146 - NOT only 1988 !!!

 

if you want to buy a 146 you must first know what you want - there are 2 Series of 146 since 1973 !

 

not inkluded the old 146 before 1960 !!!

 

1. 1973 - 1990 - 2 piece barrel, blue/grey ink window, ebonit feeder, monocolor nib, later bicolor

2. 1990 - 1995 - 1 piece barrel, ink window striped, plastik feeder, bicolor nib.

 

1995 the 146 production ended - the Le Grand came out.

 

at ebay a lot noobs sell 146 and call it Le grand , thats wrong.

 

the 146 is 14,2 cm long, the Le Grand is 14,6 cm long.

 

so it depens on you what you like, before you buy !

 

Hi Doc991 this is part of the advert on eBay that mentions the 1 year period.

 

​in 1988 Montblanc replaced "Germany" with "W-Germany" for only 1 year (before introducing their 1st serial number in 1989.

This pen for sale belongs to that range of 1988's Legrand Meisterstuck # 146 Fountain Pens. That makes this Fountain pen a unique and collectible fountain pen.

Edited February 10, 2020 by Billy1878

[Erik Dalton]

I can’t tell you how often i hear of people with this very brain teaser. First off you should hold one of each of the pens. The 149 can be a tough pen to get use to. If it feels good in your hand all the better. the 146 is a great everyday pen. Not as bulky as the 149. It’s much more Convenient to carry a 146 around. Each of the two pens have their place. For my taste I carry around an 146 and write letters with one of my 149’s.

I guarantee at some point you are going to want one of each. If you are in the market for an everyday workhorse that will become your constant companion and best friend then the 146. I have both, but prefer the one part barrel models. These are both pens to last a lifetime (The more parts, the more things to get old and go wrong).

If it’s a grail pen you are looking for then save up a little more and go for the 149.

There are plenty of them around. Keep looking and the right pen will find you.

I dont know of another pen to rival the 146. I actually prefer my Sailor King of Pen to the 149. The nib is magnificent. Being converter fill, its easier to maintain.

So, I hope i haven’t confused you. Which ever Montblanc you choose will not be a disappointment, and give you years of great writing. Then you can pass it down to your kids. Good luck...

[Doc991]

​in 1988 Montblanc replaced "Germany" with "W-Germany" for only 1 year (before introducing their 1st serial number in 1989.

 

thats (bleep) !!!

 

a little bit of german history:

 

after 2. worldwar germany was splitted in 2 parts, west germany and east germany, there was a big wall betwen the 2 parts.

in 1989 this wall falls and in 1990 there was no more west and east - only germany untill now.

 

Montblanc 146:

 

Montblanc marked the pens from 1973 till 1979 only with Germany

1980 they chanced to W.Germany ( dont know why they do this 1980 )

and 1990/1991 after the wall fall Germany they chaned to Germany ( there was no more west and east ).

 

Serial Numbers:

after 1980 ( about 1985 ) they started to write a Serialnumber at the right side and W.Germany at the left.

and 1990/91 till 1995 ( End of 146 ) serialnumber right side and germany left side.

 

from 1973 - 1985 there was only Germany / W.Germany at the middle !

 

hope this helps a little.

 

you can call me "Mister 146 " - i own over 40 MB 146 , all variations they ever made and all MB 146 solitairs - except the solid gold ones, they are too expensiv ( about 10000 Euro ! )

 

regards from vienna

Mike

[zaddick]

Hello Mike. I think it is deceptive to say the 146 ended in 95 and changed to Legrand. 146 is the model designation of the pen and is still in use today. So 146 production has been constant since the early 1970s.

 

You did point out the important point about the size increasing to match the then newly introduced 147 Traveler.

[Doc991]

Hello Mike. I think it is deceptive to say the 146 ended in 95 and changed to Legrand. 146 is the model designation of the pen and is still in use today. So 146 production has been constant since the early 1970s.

 

You did point out the important point about the size increasing to match the then newly introduced 147 Traveler.

sorry but this is wrong !

 

Montblanc himself call the modell in all catalogs and also at there website: Le Grand

 

https://www.montblanc.com/de-de/collection/writing-instruments/meisterstueck/13661-meisterstueck-gold-coated-legrand-fountain-pen.html

 

there was Meisterstück 146 , and since 1995 they call it Le Grand NOT Le Grand 146 !

Edited February 11, 2020 by Doc991

[zaddick]

So what is printed on the cap band of the actual pens? I do not have any current 146s, or Le Grands as you would say.

Edited February 11, 2020 by zaddick

[Doc991]

So what is printed on the cap band of the actual pens? I do not have any current 146s, or Le Grands as you would say.

till 1994 - Meisterstück Nr. 146 , since 1995 - Meisterstück

 

Example - Box from Meisterstück Le Grand, Solitaire, Silver Barley:

[Billy1878]

Today I went for a 149 18k bicolour W Germany pre serial number 2 barrel EF nib, serviced from Izodspens who have a 100% feedback on 1509 sales.

[FredRydr]

What's the penalty for referring to a Le Grand as a "146"?

[zaddick]

Today I went for a 149 18k bicolour W Germany pre serial number 2 barrel EF nib, serviced from Izodspens who have a 100% feedback on 1509 sales.

I hope you enjoy it for years.

[JulieParadise]

What's the penalty for referring to a Le Grand as a "146"?

 

You will be whipped with old Montblanc leather cases and, err, bathed in their new yellow Mickey Mouse ink. Still dare ... ?

[Michael R.]

W.Germany was from 1980 to 1990 ( 1991 ) on MB 146 - NOT only 1988 !!!

 

if you want to buy a 146 you must first know what you want - there are 2 Series of 146 since 1973 !

 

not inkluded the old 146 before 1960 !!!

 

1. 1973 - 1990 - 2 piece barrel, blue/grey ink window, ebonit feeder, monocolor nib, later bicolor

2. 1990 - 1995 - 1 piece barrel, ink window striped, plastik feeder, bicolor nib.

 

1995 the 146 production ended - the Le Grand came out.

 

at ebay a lot noobs sell 146 and call it Le grand , thats wrong.

 

the 146 is 14,2 cm long, the Le Grand is 14,6 cm long.

 

so it depens on you what you like, before you buy !

Please note that early 70s 146 pens were 1 piece barrels as well:

 

https://flic.kr/p/T9Fiib

 

Later models with grey ink window had 2 piece barrels (at least two different versions).

 

Cheers

 

Michael