New Gold 146/Le Grand but no hallmark stamp

[dks202]

I'm wondering about this gold or silver vermeil fp.  I have examined it and it looks like the real deal but for one thing; there is no gold or silver hallmark.  I have a similar sterling pen to compare it to.   They are both about the same weight, non magnetic, and the caps are interchangeable with each other but NOT the plastic 146 (maybe because it's older '90s version?).  The nib looks good and writes perfectly.  There is also a letter "D" under the nib.

 

It has serial number IY2015613 and Germany on the clip ring, and Pix under the clip.  No "Metal" stamp and no gold or silver hallmark.  Pics include side by side with sterling Le Grand.  Could this just be a really good fake? 

[dbs]

3 hours ago, dks202 said:

 and the caps are interchangeable with each other but NOT the plastic 146 (maybe because it's older '90s version?). 

 

Montblanc plastic cap thread has much finer pitch than metal cap.  They are designed not to be interchangeable.

[NoType]

On 4/21/2025 at 7:38 AM, dks202 said:

I'm wondering about this gold or silver vermeil fp.  I have examined it and it looks like the real deal but for one thing; there is no gold or silver hallmark.  I have a similar sterling pen to compare it to.   They are both about the same weight, non magnetic, and the caps are interchangeable with each other but NOT the plastic 146 (maybe because it's older '90s version?).  The nib looks good and writes perfectly.  There is also a letter "D" under the nib.

 

It has serial number IY2015613 and Germany on the clip ring, and Pix under the clip.  No "Metal" stamp and no gold or silver hallmark.  Pics include side by side with sterling Le Grand.  Could this just be a really good fake? 

@dks202 Thank you very much for your interesting post.  Had a Solitaire Barley Grain 146 with no gold-purity hallmarks been presented, it could have been identified as a “Golden” Barley Grain 1464, the bolded “4” indicating gold-coated brass (Au750 J-coated BR).  

 

However, as the pen possesses not a barley-corn finish but rather a pinstripe, the mystery persists because I am not aware of a gold-coated brass Solitaire 146 with pinstripe finish, except in the possible case of a particular Black Doué 146 model featuring a cap that is a “Golden” Pinstripe (Au750 J-coated BR) while the barrel is black precious resin with a gold-coated piston cone trim ring.  Yet even the Golden Pinstripe Doué 146 is a rare pen for which I have yet to discover its identifying fourth digit in the literature, while the much more common Sterling Pinstripe Doué 146 is identified as 1461.

 

Presuming that a Golden Pinstripe 146 does not exist, it is tempting to speculate that the cap of a Golden Pinstripe Doué model has somehow found its way onto a barrel of a Vermeil Pinstripe 1465 model.   But because it is not settled, at least in my mind, whether a Golden Pinstripe 146 is in fact a companion Solitaire model to the Golden Pinstripe Doué 146, I regret that I cannot shed light on your mystery pen.

 

If I am not very much mistaken, I seem to recall @Michael R. posting an early 1980’s catalogue presenting the first Solitaire models.  Perhaps a Golden Pinstripe 146 numbered among those?

[dks202]

Possible it is a "hybrid" but I'll never know.  I wonder if there is any way to trace the serial number..????  I have several MB metal pens but this looks legitimate in every detail except no hallmark..  I added another photo of three 146/Legrand nibs.   No way to tell the gold from the others. 

 

There are a couple of "Authorized Dealers" here but they are jewelry stores and there don't seem to be anyone who is that knowledgeable.  There's always Houston or Dallas....

 

[NoType]

@dks202 Theoretically, Montblanc may be able to locate your pen by its serial number, but in practice it is not always a fruitful method.  I encourage you to inquire of a Montblanc boutique, however.  One never knows.

[menoanish]

I have a similar issue. I just got a ‘silver’ 146 stripes, but it does not have any hallmarks. I think it is a steel pen. The barrel seems to be cracked. I was wondering about it and how to get it repaired? Is there a boutique or authorized dealer in Houston that could help or do I have to send it to MyJewelleryRepair?

[AcLondon]

It's the vermeil version. As far as I know it came before the AG925. I've a memory of someone saying that it's gold-plated brass. 

[Karmachanic]

1 hour ago, AcLondon said:

I've a memory of someone saying that it's gold-plated brass. 

 

"US Code of Federal Regulations 16, Part 23.4: "An industry product may be described or marked as 'vermeil' if it consists of a base of sterling silver coated or plated on all significant surfaces with gold, or gold alloy of not less than 10-karat fineness, that is of reasonable durability"

[Karmachanic]

 

[AcLondon]

6 minutes ago, Karmachanic said:

 

"US Code of Federal Regulations 16, Part 23.4: "An industry product may be described or marked as 'vermeil' if it consists of a base of sterling silver coated or plated on all significant surfaces with gold, or gold alloy of not less than 10-karat fineness, that is of reasonable durability"

Interesting. Then if the base isn't AG925 then maybe the correct word isn't 'vermeil'? 

[menoanish]

1 hour ago, Karmachanic said:

 

Thank you. I’ll be sending it to My Jewelry Repair. I think it is the real deal. The box it came with had the sticker torn. But from whatever it had, it said steel. It might not be the box for this pen. I don’t know if the pen was made in steel with stripes 

[menoanish]

Could be the vermeil version where the plating has come off. 

[dks202]

 

On 6/6/2025 at 7:12 AM, menoanish said:

Could be the vermeil version where the plating has come off. 

 

Don't think so, there isn't much wear anywhere.  I was thinking a jeweler could at least test if to see if it is actually gold plated.

[menoanish]

2 hours ago, dks202 said:

 

 

Don't think so, there isn't much wear anywhere.  I was thinking a jeweler could at least test if to see if it is actually gold plated.

That’s a great idea. I will try to post a few pictures once it’s back from repair. 

[menoanish]

Got quoted $702 including shipping today.