Good morning all. So a friend of mine told me he has a Montblanc fountain pen, but no idea what it was, what it was worth, etc. I went over to his place and took some quick snaps with the 50. Just about 5.25" long. From internet searches, I think this is a 144 Classique Fullhalter, worth about $90-125, but maybe more. It doesn't have a two-tone nib, and I understand that they add significantly to the value. Any thoughts? I'm really like to know what year it is, is the paperwork a good indication?

The nib reads:
4810
<Montblanc logo>
14K
Montblanc
585

The cap band reads:
Montblanc - Meisterstruck

Some paperwork included in the box. The "filling instructions" sheet reads "PL04002 40M/2/86" at the bottom, whereas the "Trouble-Shooting Tips" sheet reads "47M/5/87." Does this mean it was produced between 1986-87?

No writing or serial on the clip band.

I just cleaned & flushed the pen, haven't loaded it with ink yet but I'm pretty certain it will write as expected. It's in very good condition, although the barrel could use a bit of polishing to look really sharp. Some light scratches on the nib and bands, and very light brassing on some of the bands. Cap fits snugly and all threads are in good shape, the converter is clean and twists smooth, appears to make a good seal when I was flushing the nib section.

Well it's not a 146 (as available today) but it probably is its predecessor "Classique" as you described, which unfortunately is not manufactured any more.
I'd do a wet run and if it writes as smooth and wet as I'd like, then I'd go for it.

Mike

Hi,

As far as I can see it's a #144 Classique produced between 1986 and 1992.

Axel

Mike,
I think this is a #144 or Classique...the #146 has been the #146 since its inception in the 1950..took a hiatus in the 1960's then back again in the 1974. The #146 has gotten a little longer and fatter since it's inception, and has always been a piston filler. Nomenclature wise, the #144 became the "Classique" and the #146 became the "LeGrand". (on a side note..I refuse to call the #149 the "Diplomat"...its a #149!! )

Booker,

The #144/Classique is from the late 1970's-into the 90's. Not sure when the nibs changed from monotone to two-toned nibs. Also I think the color of the sections changed in there sometime. Though if it follows the 1970's-80's #146..the monotone nib is earlier/older. To me...that would make this pen more valuable than the two-toned nib, though I think your price range you quoted is about right. Hopefully someone else can confirm or edit my thoughts.

Rick

See, Axel beat me to it while I was writing my response!!!

Rick

I'm incredibly impressed by the knowledge the members of the board possess! Would additional pictures of any details help with identification or a value estimate? If so I can make that happen. Thank you very much!


...okay, some bad news. The tines on the nib are ever so slightly out of whack. The left tine (looking at the pen as a right-handed writer) is about .3mm higher than the left. The symptom is that ink won't flow when you first start a line, and then won't flow nearly as smooth (wet?) as it should.

Is this easily fixed, or is the nib shot? What is the procedure for bending the thing back in place without damaging or breaking the nib? Not that I'm going to do it myself, just for the info.

edit: if I reposition the pen a bit, basically turn it in my hand, it flows just fine, actually rather nicely with very little scratch if any. Is this misalignment the result of somebody's particular writing style, perhaps, and it is just how the nib has flexed after continued use?