Hi,

I am a Waterman man myself - but my friends have somehow convinced me to start trying out Pelikans ...

Here is my question :

What is the difference between the Pelikan 800, Pelikan 805, and Pelikan 850

I heard that 800 meant the gold version, and the 805 meant the silver version, then what does the 850 mean ?

Also when they say 800 means gold version and 805 means silver - is this referring to the nib ?

Final question - I am asking all this because I want to buy a Pelikan 800 -

is there any way to distinguish the newer Pelikans by the years (for example a Pelikan 800 made in 1995 vs one made in 2008 ?)

Sorry for the questions folks, but just want to make sure I know a lil something before I venture out to buy

Any responses would be kindly appreciated

Thank you

There are lots on this forum that know far more about Pelikans than I do and can correct me if I[m wrong. I have an M805 blue stripes. and the 'silver' refers to the trims (clip, bands etc.) not the nib. The nib is 18 c gold ...

I believe the M850 (no longer in production) had a vermeil cap

Reid was correct in distinguishing the 800 from the 805, and the 850. The older Pelikan 800's (1990's production) have gold disks on the cap top and the bottom of the filler knob. I'm not sure what year Pelikan transitioned to the current silkscreen on the cap top. Also, the first issue of the silkscreened version has two pelikan chicks whereas the current production has only one chick. I'm not sure what year they switched from two to one but I think it was around 2004. Maybe Rick Propas can weigh and clarify further. Hope that helps.

Hi Jelly Belly:

As far I know, the M800 comes with black trim, the 805, with silver trim, and the 850 comes with gol trim and glod cap

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2017/248664..._41e588ac76.jpg

The 800 comes in full black, green black, blue black and red black; the 805 comes in full black, and full dark blue.

the 850 comes as in the photo,

Please correct me,

Julio

All of them comes with 18c 750 Two tone nib, gold with rhodium details.

Julio

Thank you to everyone for taking the time to put out such specific answers to my questions

Now I finally understand what the different number combinations of the 800 series mean !

I think I will be going for the m800 ...

Thank you guys again

The move from the medallions top and bottom to the screened logo came around 1999/2000, if I recall correctly. I'm away from home and sources.

From the limited research I have done, I believe that if you own a Pelikan we can let

A := Size, Heft, and nib type (steel or gold)

BB := Specific Looks and Finish,

then refer to your generic Pelikan as an MABB.

Example: I believe A = 2 means a relatively smaller, shirt-pocket size pen, with a steel nib. And A = 4 means a similar size pen, but perhaps no longer with a steel nib, and definitely A = 6+ should have some sort of gold nib, and be larger.

I know little about distinguishing old and new, as I'm very new to Pelikans, though I do spend lots of time reading about them. I hope you enjoy your purchase. I look forward to getting an 8XX at some point soon too!

Here's a useful link: http://www.ruettinger-web.de/e-pelikan-modell-souveraen.html

It lists a few more colors than Julio's post (e.g., striped blue/black M805) as well as other models based on the M800 (e.g., M900/M910 Toledo, the pens made for Tiffany in 1990).

Best,

Riccardo

Relatively new to Pelikans myself but already have three and just bought an M800. They are addictive and this forum doesn't help you to control the addiction.
You might want to look at Richards site as he provides a lot of info. Her's a link to get started, scrool down to the M800 section.
http://www.richardspens.com/?page=ref_info/51_profile.htm

Thanks to everyone again ... I love this forum ... This is so much information it would have taken many months to find one my own

This helps me out a lot

BTW the links provided are fantastic ... my jaw has hit the ground after seeing all those pics of the exotic "birds"

Thank you guys again !