Montblanc 149 nib curve

[AcLondon]

I picked up a late 60s 149 with tri-tone 18c. It arrived today. Its my first 149. It looks to me like the nib might be damaged though. There's a significant downward curve to it. I've tried to capture it in photo below. Is this design or damage? If the latter, should I attempt to fix it or just return to seller? All help much appreciated. Thanks, as always, ac

[meiers]

Is the nib scratched or showing signs of damage? How does it write and perform for you? May we see a writing sample?

 

The nib may have been intentionally adjusted. The only questions that matter (to me) are how does it feel when you’re writing with it? and is the nib damaged?

[AcLondon]

Thanks so much for the reply. Doesn't seem to be damaged. Certainly a bit of 'scratch' to it but I'm such a novice to fountain pens I've little to compare to. Sample of my awful writing below!

[Karmachanic]

Essential piece of FP kit is a 10X loupe. BelOmo is popular. Use that to look at the nib tip to see if the tines are aligned. If not it's an easy fix. Misaligned tine will give rise to 'scratch'.

 

Draw a horizontal line left to right. Then right to left. Is there a difference? If one direction is smooth and the other scratchy you have a misaligned tine. If both directions are smooth, then the perceived scratchiness may be feed-back. or tooth. Kinda like writing with a pencil.

[Barry Gabay]

Hello AcLondon,   

 

My 149 nibs from that era (three-tone 14C and three-tone 18C) have a distinct downward curve, as do many vintage fountain pen nibs. The downward curves I have seen on various older 149 nibs are both less and more pronounced than yours, but clearly present. Your nib does not appear damaged to me.

 

I agree with my friend meiers about the nib having been re-set. The barrel of your 149 dates from ca. 1983-84. It is a two-piece barrel which Montblanc introduced after your nib was manufactured. Nothing wrong with that. I have had similar 149s with older nibs set in newer barrels. They performed perfectly. 

 

I hope you are able to resolve the scratchiness. It looks like a very nice 149.

Best wishes,

Barry

[zaddick]

I agree the nib does not look damaged, but I would expect a little more of some upswept tipping on it. 

[AcLondon]

Thanks again for brilliant contributions. One of the (many I'm sure) blind spots in my knowledge is differentiating between two and single piece barrel. What are the immediate visual differences? I've pored over photos but I just can't see it (except when the colours are different!).The cap certainly looks much earlier than 82-83. Early 'a' in montblanc, two dots in 'u', centre line on clip going right over curve. Early shaky looking 'Germany' on clip. Feed is round ebonite with face grooves. So, do I have matching cap and feed/nib but later barrel? Honestly, thank you, this site is a treasure trove of info. 

[zaddick]

23 minutes ago, AcLondon said:

Thanks again for brilliant contributions. One of the (many I'm sure) blind spots in my knowledge is differentiating between two and single piece barrel. What are the immediate visual differences? I've pored over photos but I just can't see it (except when the colours are different!).The cap certainly looks much earlier than 82-83. Early 'a' in montblanc, two dots in 'u', centre line on clip going right over curve. Early shaky looking 'Germany' on clip. Feed is round ebonite with face grooves. So, do I have matching cap and feed/nib but later barrel? Honestly, thank you, this site is a treasure trove of info. 

Yes, this happens in repairs.

 

There are three visual clues to spot the newer barrel. 

1. the collar is thick and kind of matte in color. 

2. There is a line before the ink window.

3. There are a different number of thread starts (this is really only easy to tell if you are holding the pen)

[AcLondon]

Zaddick, thank you so much, that is so clear and helpful!