Apologies, should have posted this under the 'Repair' section, but don't know how to shift the message there.

Hi all. My latest pen is the Montegrappa Cosmos. Beautiful, and writes so nicely. Got it off eBay from a collector, allegedly new but doubting it now. When I fill the pen the screw mechanism feels loose in places, quite stiff when filled with ink for a while, and very loose when rinsed with water. I've only ever used two inks in the pen and rinsed it well inbetween. First was Montegrappa's red, the other a PR Black Magic Blue. But the problem seems to be with a seal as ink gets past the 'piston'(?) and then escapes from the top of the pen where the filling screw meets the rest of the body. Should I send the pen to Montegrappa or try one of the independent acknowledged experts? I have the paperwork for the pen but no dealer stamp, so the guarantee is likely to get questioned. Thanks in anticipation.

I sent them my Montegrappa Miya to solve a flow issue and the pen came back writing better than ever. They did a great job and included a note about what they did to repair the pen. I would not hesitate to send your pen to them.

That's good to know, thanks. Will let you know how I get on.

For years I have been collecting Mont Blanc pens, and a few others...usually random purchases but I do enjoy my 149s quite a bit. Recently I picked up an Extra 1930 and I can tell you what an 'eye opening' experience it has been....

I no longer look at my MBs the same way

My understanding is that, despite the change in corporate ownership about ten years ago, the people who work in the Montegrappa factory are the same as before, and their pride in their work has not changed.

I'd be interested to know what their turn around time is.

It took about 4 weeks, but the results were worth the wait, as the pen writes like a dream, or should I say, like the rest of my Montegrappa pens.