146 Monotone Nibs, Some Pictures

[hari317]

Some 14C and 14K marked 146 nibs from my small collection. Invariably, I have found the 14C nibbed pens in the following configuration:

 

• 
   
  
• 14C monotone nib
  
• Split HR feeder
  
• Square lipped feeder case
  
• Curved clip without ANY engraving on the clip ring.
  
• Monotone Grey ink view window.
   
  

 

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/146%20nibs/IMG_5907.jpg

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/146%20nibs/IMG_5908.jpg

 

The nibs, the two on the left with the square feeder case. The two on the right with sloping lip feeder case. The rightmost is an uninked mint in box 146 from mid 80s.

 

On the 14C nibs, you will notice that the "engraving border"(I don't know the correct term for this) has a sharp vertex on the slit, it becomes more rounded on the 14K ones. Even on the two 14C nibs you will notice a different spacing from the breather hole to 4810 stamping.

 

(Note: I have also seen this rounded vertex even on a 14C nibbed monotone nib, owned by Shawn IIRC, so maybe it is a part of the evolution of the design of the 146 monotone nibs: 14C bitone with sharp vertex in celluloid era->14C monotone sharp vertex-> 14C monotone rounded vertex-> 14K monotone rounded vertex-> 14K bitone with more nib decoration)

 

Edit: Shawn's 14C nib: link Picture linked from his post:

 

 

Comparing three 146s, one with 14C nib, one with 14K mono nib, third is a 146R with 14K bitone nib. Note the increasing lengths.

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/146%20nibs/IMG_5909.jpg

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/146%20nibs/IMG_5910.jpg

 

The rounded clip on the left, the squarish clip on the right. The earlier clip was secured by the insitu screw threads on the snowcap top. The later clips are secured by a seperate metal screw.

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/146%20nibs/IMG_5911.jpg

 

Cap trim rings, the square ones on the 14C nibbed pen, rounded central ring on the 14k Nibbed one.

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/146%20nibs/IMG_5912.jpg

 

Cheers!

Hari

Edited August 4, 2011 by hari317

[Abhik]

Dear Hari, well documented note on 146s'! Your photos are excellent. Can you please post some more photos of the virgin 146?

Thanks for sharing,

Abhik.

[hari317]

Dear Hari, well documented note on 146s'! Your photos are excellent. Can you please post some more photos of the virgin 146?

 

Thank you Abhik for your kind comments as always. Maybe I will photograph that pen sometime later when I feel more OK, setting up the camera for this itself was an effort, haha, BTW, there is nothing special about that pen, only that it is a piece of history, a snap shot of that time...

 

Best

Hari

[Makar]

Thanks for the info Hari!

 

Stephen

[Sidestreaker]

Hari, thank you for the wonderful photos of 146s. The classic monotone nibs are certainly classier the than the modern ones.

[orfew]

Thanks very much for the photos and the interesting comparisons.

[Michael R.]

Very nice! Thank you.

 

Michael

[kandarp]

Hari,

 

Thanks a lot for the photos and descriptions.

 

Kandarp

[pavoni]

Love your posts Hari; compulsory reading for every MB collector.

 

Thank you for sharing,

 

Pavoni.

[hari317]

Thank you all, for your kind comments.

 

Best

Hari

[georges zaslavsky]

nice 146s , I always prefered the montone nibs to the duotones, the duotones nibs are stiff as nails.

[Barry Gabay]

Hari,

 

Thank you for the excellent photo essay and very thorough scholarship. Your work adds much to our collective Montblanc knowledge. Although I've owned just a few 146s, I agree with those above who say the monotone 14C nib is superior to later ones, more flexible and more aesthetically pleasing. Just as an aside, I sold my 1982 #146 with monotone medium nib to Peter Yarrow of the folk trio Peter, Paul, & Mary. Also helped him find a couple of 51s with specific nibs he wanted. He is a fountain pen user and for several years regularly attended the DC show with Mary Travers. They used to schedule a concert at Wolftrap Park for the weekend of the pen show. Hope he's still enjoying that 146.

 

Best wishes,

Barry

[hari317]

Thank you Barry. I wish someone would write a definitive article on the 146, document the various avatars. Similar to your 149 article which is a gold standard.

 

Best

Hari

[georges zaslavsky]

I am expecting to pick a 1986 mb 146 with a 18c nib in september/october, will post review and pics of it.

[Sidestreaker]

I for one would love to read more articles about 146 with the standard that Barry has set for the 149s. I'm currently on a look out for 80s/70s model. I even have modern regular 18k nibs which I do not know where/when they're from. It'll be a treat to read more about it.

[Lalique]

I sold my 1982 #146 with monotone medium nib to Peter Yarrow of the folk trio Peter, Paul, & Mary. Also helped him find a couple of 51s with specific nibs he wanted. He is a fountain pen user and for several years regularly attended the DC show with Mary Travers. They used to schedule a concert at Wolftrap Park for the weekend of the pen show. Hope he's still enjoying that 146.

 

I went to all of Peter, Paul & Mary's concerts held in San Diego, so, for me, that is most exciting information about Peter's love of fountain pens. I was close to Paul, often engaged in deep conversation with him after concerts. I've followed Peter's interests and concerns with admiration from their earliest days.

 

Thank you for sharing your stories about Peter and your 1982 MB 146 and about helping him acquire Parker 51s with specific nibs. Wonderful!

 

Happy pen trails : ) .

[meiers]

I own two 146's with monotone nibs --- and love them!

Thanks for sharing your pictures.

[AleAli]

Small dream collection. Thank you for sharing, Hari317!