Montblanc 236

June 20, 2011

c. 1940's Montblanc 236

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn140/PENSnINKS/Montblanc/Montblanc%20236/Mb236cap.jpg

This is another nice vintage Montblanc fountain pen from the 1940's. The #6 size of the 23X series is not as common as other Montblanc pens from that period of time. I have the impression that in this category of size most customer's already decided to buy a Meisterstück.

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn140/PENSnINKS/Montblanc/Montblanc%201939%20News%20Catalog%20for%20Stoeffhaas/MB19363.jpg

The 23X series also was available in silver grey platinum lined (PL) celluloid.

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn140/PENSnINKS/Montblanc/Montblanc%20236/Mb236closed.jpg

The 236 shows unusual proportions when closed. Length of the barrel and cap seem to be equal.

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn140/PENSnINKS/Montblanc/Montblanc%20236/Mb236inkwindow.jpg

The clear yellow ink window remained in great condition over the years. Compared to the Meisterstück series of pens the 2XX models never showed any black stripes.

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn140/PENSnINKS/Montblanc/Montblanc%20236/MB236open.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn140/PENSnINKS/Montblanc/Montblanc%20236/MB236nib.jpg

The #6 size nib is a medium or broad oblique with a tad of springyness which writes very well with generous ink flow.

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn140/PENSnINKS/Montblanc/Montblanc%20236/MB236open.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn140/PENSnINKS/Montblanc/Montblanc%20236/Mb236captop.jpg

This is a very well kept pen but the white Montblanc emblem seems to have been repaired/replaced.

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn140/PENSnINKS/Montblanc/Montblanc%20236/MB236imprint.jpg

The blind cap shows one of the mysterious imprints: " >- "; the meaning is not clear today.

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn140/PENSnINKS/Montblanc/Montblanc%20236/MB236.jpg

Cheers

Michael

June 20, 2011

Michael

Thank you for the report, very useful. I wonder if the "mysterious imprint" is not a residual of the OB, I have seen some times the nib size partially erased.

Best, Ariel

June 20, 2011

That is a lovely pen.

June 20, 2011

Superb. Your usual, informative and excellently photographed post is gratefully received Michael. Thanks for sharing.

Only having a MB 234-1/2 and MB 232 from the second tier of this period, I took a quick look at my other pens from this series, including my later transitional MB 136, and I was very surprised to see exactly the same curious marking on the piston knob of that pen. I had mistaken this for a past user's mark, rather than anything deliberate by Montblanc. I only have the particular marking you have found on my MB 136.

Whilst my pen in question has the model imprint, it doesn't show any indication of ever having a nib size imprint. I am inclined to agree with those who hold the opinion that such curious markings, whether accompanying a nib size imprint or not, are likely an indicator of the obliqueness (or inclination!!!) of the original nib.

I seem to recall 'Makar' had recently posted a query about a dot or some other such curious marking on one of his vintage MBs. It would be good to see a listing compiled of these markings, in the hope of someone (far brigher than me) coming to a logical conclusion as to their origin and meaning.

Keep those excellent posts coming please Michael.

Pavoni.

Edited June 20, 2011 by pavoni

June 21, 2011

Thanks for your comments.

[...] I wonder if the "mysterious imprint" is not a residual of the OB, I have seen some times the nib size partially erased.
Best, Ariel

[...] and I was very surprised to see exactly the same curious marking on the piston knob of that pen. I had mistaken this for a past user's mark, rather than anything deliberate by Montblanc.[...]
Pavoni.

First I thought the same as Ariel. But seeing this mark makes me believe it belongs this way and is not a partial imprint of something else.

I started a new topic on the mysterious imprints here: MB Imprints showing what I have seen so far with a short description of pens & nibs.

Cheers

Michael

June 21, 2011

I have just managed to get myself a MB 236, which should be in my hands within the next 14 days, so I will see if there is a mark on this one. It isn't the prettiest of models, what with the dimensions of cap to pen (not that I am complaining!).

Pavoni.

June 22, 2011

Thanks for your comments.

[...] I wonder if the "mysterious imprint" is not a residual of the OB, I have seen some times the nib size partially erased.
Best, Ariel

[...] and I was very surprised to see exactly the same curious marking on the piston knob of that pen. I had mistaken this for a past user's mark, rather than anything deliberate by Montblanc.[...]
Pavoni.

First I thought the same as Ariel. But seeing this mark makes me believe it belongs this way and is not a partial imprint of something else.

I started a new topic on the mysterious imprints here: MB Imprints showing what I have seen so far with a short description of pens & nibs.

Cheers

Michael

Thank you Michael, your Post about MB imprints is quite complete, convincing and open to think about... as soon as I photograph the MB with curious imprints I have, at least two, I will post them for all to see.

Best, Ariel

June 22, 2011

I have just managed to get myself a MB 236, which should be in my hands within the next 14 days, so I will see if there is a mark on this one. It isn't the prettiest of models, what with the dimensions of cap to pen (not that I am complaining!).

Pavoni.

That is great! Let us know how you like the pen and if you got a later or earlier model.

There is not much information around on this model.

Yes, the proportions look a little bit funny (for a Montblanc) but I like using it.

Thank you Michael, your Post about MB imprints is quite complete, convincing and open to think about... as soon as I photograph the MB with curious imprints I have, at least two, I will post them for all to see.
Best, Ariel

I'm looking forward to those!

Cheers

Michael