Beginner Needing Help in Identifying Montblanc Authenticity/Model

[Mintees]

Hi, I would really appreciate it if somebody could please help me in identifying if the following pens are real, and for the second one with the ink cartridges what model they are as well? I'm new purchasing Montblanc fountain pens and want to make sure I get the correct model and ensure they are real.

Thank you!

 

Edited November 27, 2021 by Mintees
Grammar

[bunnspecial]

The first is a 149, made sometime since the early 1990s(not sure if it could be dated better than that without a close examination). As long as it truly is piston feeling, chances are very good it's authentic.

 

The second looks to me like it could be a 144 or 145. Tread cautiously-these are among the most faked MB models.

[Mintees]

Thank you so much for the help! The 149 is on auction so I’m happy to hear it’s most likely genuine! 
Again, thank you so much for your help! It really is amazing especially for a newbie!

[Dione]

The 149 looks good especially with it's 18k nib but don't have a clue which model the 2nd one is without it's cap off. Might be a 145 might not even be a FP. 🤷‍♂️

[Wael El-Dasher]

The first pen, like others have noted, is a 149. From the feed, you can see it's not ebonite so it's not early 1990's. It's a plastic feed, so anything from mid 1990's onwards. 18K Nib looks like a Medium, based on the decent photos. Looks like it will need a good cleaning & flushing. Overall the 149 are very robust, so I wouldn't be scare to buy it, assuming the price is fair (box/papers?). It would be good to know if the piston works fine. Confirm with the seller if possible. 

 

Can't say much on the second pen. Not enough there to tell. 

 

Cheers

 

Wael

[Mintees]

39 minutes ago, Wael El-Dasher said:

The first pen, like others have noted, is a 149. From the feed, you can see it's not ebonite so it's not early 1990's. It's a plastic feed, so anything from mid 1990's onwards. 18K Nib looks like a Medium, based on the decent photos. Looks like it will need a good cleaning & flushing. Overall the 149 are very robust, so I wouldn't be scare to buy it, assuming the price is fair (box/papers?). It would be good to know if the piston works fine. Confirm with the seller if possible. 

 

Can't say much on the second pen. Not enough there to tell. 

 

Cheers

 

Wael

Thank you! Looks like it doesn’t have the box/papers and I’ll ask the seller if the piston works correctly 

It’s currently 450 AUD (280 Euros) locally, do you think this is a good price? Thanks again!

[Mintees]

6 hours ago, Dione said:

The 149 looks good especially with it's 18k nib but don't have a clue which model the 2nd one is without it's cap off. Might be a 145 might not even be a FP. 🤷‍♂️

Thank you!

[Wael El-Dasher]

34 minutes ago, Mintees said:

Thank you! Looks like it doesn’t have the box/papers and I’ll ask the seller if the piston works correctly 

It’s currently 450 AUD (280 Euros) locally, do you think this is a good price? Thanks again!

I would think that's a good price, assuming the piston works. I don't mind a M nib but it's not my favorite. Have you tried different Montblanc nibs? If not, I recommend stopping by any Montblanc reseller and using their 146 series testers, just to get an idea of what you like. 

 

Bryant sells new 149's (box, papers, warranty card) for US $795 (https://chatterleyluxuries.com/product/montblanc-meisterstuck-yellow-gold-coated-149-fountain-pen/)

 

These purchases are very personal I feel, with multiple factors to be considered by the individual that's buying the pen. As a buyer, sometimes you'd think it's worth a shot to try it, and if you don't like the pen, it's easy to sell with minimal loss.

 

Others know they like the pen and will spend the time and effort working on getting the pen the way they like it (cleaning, nib swap or nib tuned, custom grind..etc). I don't know what factors you're considering so it's unfair for me to judge. Sometimes it's about budget strictly, and other times it's about finding the right pen that connects or resonates with you. It's a tough call. 

 

My criteria is different probably. I've owned many MB pens and feel fortunate to have bought most of the pens I've lusted after, then I traded some, sold some, gifted some, until I eventually lost all interest in pens, then repurchased some that I really missed...it was a journey of discovery (an expensive education) and now I know what I want and work very hard to resist the temptation to buy pens that appeal to me but I know won't be used because I already found the pen I can't stop using. Not sure if that's any sort of advice, or any of this makes sense. I suppose none of this makes sense when a free pen at the office supply closet will suffice. Like most people here, these pens are not practical purchases, they're not a necessity anymore. It's not 1930 and everyone needs a dependable writing instrument. It's a purchase of desire to own, use and enjoy such an instrument that makes no practical sense. 

 

Cheers

 

Wael

[Mintees]

39 minutes ago, Wael El-Dasher said:

I would think that's a good price, assuming the piston works. I don't mind a M nib but it's not my favorite. Have you tried different Montblanc nibs? If not, I recommend stopping by any Montblanc reseller and using their 146 series testers, just to get an idea of what you like. 

 

Bryant sells new 149's (box, papers, warranty card) for US $795 (https://chatterleyluxuries.com/product/montblanc-meisterstuck-yellow-gold-coated-149-fountain-pen/)

 

These purchases are very personal I feel, with multiple factors to be considered by the individual that's buying the pen. As a buyer, sometimes you'd think it's worth a shot to try it, and if you don't like the pen, it's easy to sell with minimal loss.

 

Others know they like the pen and will spend the time and effort working on getting the pen the way they like it (cleaning, nib swap or nib tuned, custom grind..etc). I don't know what factors you're considering so it's unfair for me to judge. Sometimes it's about budget strictly, and other times it's about finding the right pen that connects or resonates with you. It's a tough call. 

 

My criteria is different probably. I've owned many MB pens and feel fortunate to have bought most of the pens I've lusted after, then I traded some, sold some, gifted some, until I eventually lost all interest in pens, then repurchased some that I really missed...it was a journey of discovery (an expensive education) and now I know what I want and work very hard to resist the temptation to buy pens that appeal to me but I know won't be used because I already found the pen I can't stop using. Not sure if that's any sort of advice, or any of this makes sense. I suppose none of this makes sense when a free pen at the office supply closet will suffice. Like most people here, these pens are not practical purchases, they're not a necessity anymore. It's not 1930 and everyone needs a dependable writing instrument. It's a purchase of desire to own, use and enjoy such an instrument that makes no practical sense. 

 

Cheers

 

Wael

Thank you so much for the detailed advice and help on the pen. I know Montblanc is a brand that can be trusted, especially their fountain pens. However, before I go buy any full priced ones I want to make sure that the style is right for me (I’m still only a university student haha so I don’t want to spend too much just get haha). I intend on buying a full priced one if I like this enough and luckily there are 2 Montblanc boutiques here in Sydney so I may go and try there if they have any testers as well.

Again, thank you so much for all your help, I really appreciate it as this only my second fountain pen and a major upgrade from my Lamy Safari haha