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A Different 149 Or A Frankenpen?


Bigeddie

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Hi all,

 

I just picked up a 149 from (you've guessed it) eBay, It has a lot to answer for.

 

Based on it's parts it is from around 1990-1991, but I haven't seen anything quite like it. This is exciting and worrying at the same time. Opinions please:

 

Nib: 18K duotone (Left Oblique Medium)

Threads: Brass

Cap band: W. Germany

Serial: EB100379

Feed: Ebonite

 

I was particularly interested to know if the serial number had any significance. I know they came in around this time. I don't know if it's something of an anomaly, or if it is made up of odd parts.

 

There is some damage to the threads, but I got a reasonable price and the nib is smooth (once I had worked out it was a left oblique!). I'm just wondering how it fits in with the production history.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For small creatures such as we the vastness is bearable only through love. -Carl Sagan

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Nice pen! All parts but nib indicate 90-91, or all parts but feed indicate 91- ca. 94. Take your pick. Your feed was discontinued a year or two prior to the introduction of the nib (2-tone 18K).

 

If everything works properly, enjoy your pen.

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Congratulations, good condition 149. The nib has almost a flawless finish.

Interesting features.

The pen is consistent with 1991 production, according to the chart in "Dating MB 149s", except the serial number. I understood that numbering began in 1994. There has been much discussion here about factory use of remaining parts, from earlier production eras, running into the next.

This could be one of the earliest pens bearing a serial number, or it's possible the clip was replaced on a slightly earlier pen.

As another example, I have a 149 with a 1st generation plastic feed, brass threads, two-tone 14K nib, and no serial number, which indicates 1991 as production year.

In the end, it's all a bit approximate. Still, a very nice 149!

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congrats on your 149 :thumbup:

Pens are like watches , once you start a collection, you can hardly go back. And pens like all fine luxury items do improve with time

 

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My information about serial numbers beginning in 1994 is incorrect, apparently. I live to learn.

 

Quickly found two other, similar pens reported on FPN, one by member "rowbo" on page 6 of "Dating MB 149s" , and the other on the page at the link below.

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/235887-interesting-serial-number-on-my-149/

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I personally don't care whether the serial number is from a different era to the brass threads and the ebonite feed. I just think it's the pen and how it writes that counts. It looks very nice.

 

Apparently the 149 has been tweaked in size over the years, so it might have a completely different cap size to the current version.

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