First ever MB today

February 23, 2009

Today I received my first ever MB. It's a 146 which came with the outer cardboard box as well as the case. The seller said that it was from a pen collector--the other pens offered were also nice pens, both modern and vintage---and that the collector had bought most of the modern pens in the Washington, DC area in the 80's. The guarantee booklet is stamped 'Bertram's Inkwell, White Flint, (301) 468-6939' confirming this claim. The seller did not know the nib width, but it's a F which is exactly what I wanted!

For identification purposes I don't have a photo to upload yet, but here's the info I do have. The clip ring is marked W-Germany DB129345. The nib is two-toned, 14K MONTBLANC 585 and the filler threads are brass. The pinned Pentrace Article #405 says that the brass filler threads started about 1990, and, of course, the Wall came down November 9, 1989. Are there any other factors for dating the pen? When did MB stop marking the pens W-Germany?

The pen is a beautiful writer with a great balance especially capped. It's found it's place in both my hand and my rotation.

February 23, 2009

Are there any other factors for dating the pen? When did MB stop marking the pens W-Germany?

It's not so much about "when did they stop marking pens W-GERMANY, but when they exhausted the stock of nibs. The 146 went through a transition period in the late 80s and early 90s. Nibs were mono-color, and then became bi-color. The ink window was a grey/blue band near the section, and now they are slotted like the modern 149s have always been. There is a font size difference on the center cap ring. The feeds are different. You can find all sorts of 146s with seemingly mix and match pieces and parts from earlier and later styles, because they appeared to have used all the old parts until no longer available.

When/if you post photos, we can help you narrow down your production date a little.

Eric

February 24, 2009

Congratulations, Randy! The 146 is an extraordinary pen and I'm sure you will have many hours of pleasure from it. The only downside I've found with MB is that that first one tends to lead to others!

February 24, 2009

The only downside I've found with MB is that that first one tends to lead to others!

And vintage, and more modern pens, then ink, then pencils...it never ends.

February 24, 2009

Are there any other factors for dating the pen? When did MB stop marking the pens W-Germany?

It's not so much about "when did they stop marking pens W-GERMANY, but when they exhausted the stock of nibs. The 146 went through a transition period in the late 80s and early 90s. Nibs were mono-color, and then became bi-color. The ink window was a grey/blue band near the section, and now they are slotted like the modern 149s have always been. There is a font size difference on the center cap ring. The feeds are different. You can find all sorts of 146s with seemingly mix and match pieces and parts from earlier and later styles, because they appeared to have used all the old parts until no longer available.

When/if you post photos, we can help you narrow down your production date a little.

Eric

Very helpful. Thanks!

Randy

P.S. You're from one of my favorite cities!

February 24, 2009

Great choice! Glad to hear you're happy with the 146.

Btw, it aldo comes in Bordeaux, there's one with platinum trim, there are Doue and Solitaire variants, LEs based on the 146, and vintage, not to mention other nib choices.

Oh, and you might want to give the 149 a try.

February 24, 2009

Though I don't own a 149 (yet) - I do own a LeGrand Solitaire, a starwalker and the Verne. All behave exactly as you describe...all 3 are my most reliable writers.

Its funny how people trash talk Montblanc & Rolex....everyone always says "Don't buy a Montblanc (Rolex)...everyone has one..they are so common"

Well, after 10 years of buying & selling all the "hot" brands, I now own a vintage Rolex GMT, the new Deep Sea Sea-Dweller and my Montblanc pens. (Alright, I've got a couple of Stips as well!). They may be more "common" & less exotic than other brands..but - man oh man - the quality is there.