This is a impulse buy... I am not very knowledgeable about vintage pelikans, and I thought as a 500 or 500nn...
But my searching in the net suggested it as a 500N. Am I right?

The pen is around 125 mm long, cap diameter 13mm, posted 145mm. Cap has inscriptions
" GUNTHER WAGNER GERMANY ROLLED GOLD", body has inscriptions " GUNTHER WAGNER PELIKAN" , by the piston knob.
The nib has inscriptions Pelikan 14c 585. It is one of those two holed stiff nib ( sorry, I don't know the name properly), which is a little disappointment to me, as I like nibs with a bit of flex. But overall a very handsome pen and very good writer.

So am I correct in assuming it as a 500N?

Hi,

Not absolutely positive, sure it isn't a 500nn as they have a more torpedo shaped filler knob and the cap is different, so maybe a 500N, but wonder if its a 400 with a 500 cap as I thought the 500n had a slightly more rounded filler. The nib is a manifold nib designed to be stiff for writing on carbonated paper.

You have probably seen this site, but a useful source on information on Pelikans.

http://www.ruettinger-web.de/e-pelikan-modell-400.html

Andy

Hello,

I was just browsing by here and you post caught my eye.

You have an interesting pen but I have to agree with Andy about its model designation. At first I thought that it was an early model 450. Then, I pulled a 1963 Pelikan sales manual and looked at the Pelikan 400 - 500 pages. There is no place that they show a green and black 400 with a gold cap. They mention the Pelikan 500 and 520 in tortoise or black, but nothing like the pen you are showing.

So, you have a very nice looking vintage Pelikan 400 with a gold cap. I'd be happy to have such a pen.

Peace,

Phroneo

Here's the 400 shape chart. Looks like you have a later...ahhh...earlier 400 model

Indeed,what you have is a Pelikan frankenpen--a 400 green-striped body with a gold-filled 500 cap. Pelikan only made the
500 with a tortoiseshell-striped or black-striped body.

John

It's hard to tell from the image, I'd need to see the turning knob more clearly to identify the pen as a 500N, but from what I see and the markings I'd have to agree with those who suggest that you have the cap from a 500 and the body from a 400.

A 500 should always be marked at the bottom of the barrel as 500.

Hmm... So I have a frankenpelikan.... should I take a refund from the seller? Hey, he didn't sell me it as a 500N..
And the nib turned out a surprising fine stub (it really is a vintage parker medium, but I take it as a Pelikan fine..)

The killer nib and the very clean pen and excellent cap for $75... What do you think? should I ask for a refund?

And I here is two photo's of the 'tail'. Is it of any help? One thing, the barrel length is not same as 400.. The barrel length(without the nib) is 100 mm and with nib 118 mm.

Thanks for the help provided.

One thing to add, the length of the filler knob is exactly 20 mm.

If it were me, I wouldn't ask for a refund. A nice looking, functional Pelikan with such a great nib is WELL worth the price paid.

Regards, greg

Hi,

I agree, looks nice, writes nice good nib and only cost $75 (cheap by UK standards), I'd keep it, as the nib would probably cost that to replace. If you are feeling tough you could ask for a partial refund making it more of a bargain.

I say enjoy the pen.

Andy

$75? Keep it, definitely. A good condition vintage 400 green tortoise will cost you around $100. A 500 would be more like $300. So here you have a 400 with the added advantage of a gold cap. Yes, it's not "correct", but it's a beautiful looking pen. Even if you were a perfectionist collector, this would make a great daily writer. So, enjoy.