Split Vs. Solid?

March 31, 2011

Thanks to Niksch's recent 149 14c posts over in the For Sale forum I became aware of what the solid vs. split feed on a 149 really is. If the descriptions in his posts are accurate (as I am sure they are) I am now able to date my split feed to the late 70's vs early-mid for a solid feed (been trying to do this for a few years now!)

After reading the 2 149 posts I got my 10x loop out to take a close look at the feed, and was surprised to see a split feed is really split vertically. There is a front section and a back section, wow! After checking out the pen many times before with the loop, I was delighted to find something new that I'd overlooked before.

My question is why did MB go to a split from the solid? Feels like there must be a mechanical reason for this... could it be manufacturing related. Any feedback would be appreciated.

And thank you Niksch for the posts.

Edited March 31, 2011 by GardenCity-NY

March 31, 2011

The theory is that MB moved from the solid ebonite feeds to the split ebonite feeds at the same time they changed from the so-called flexy nibs of the 60s to the firmer nibs of the 70s. As the nibs became firmer, there was a need for some responsiveness (or spring), so this adjustment was made in the feed. Maybe conjecture, maybe true, but this is the story as I know it.

March 31, 2011

Split-ebonite feeds appeared on 149s ca. 1981-1992. First saw it on a 149 purchased in Amsterdam fall of 1981. Thought it was a flawed feed until I saw others. They were replaced by the first-generation plastic feed in 1992. I saw the split-ebonite feed on 146s at about the same time in NYC, Andorra, and Spain.