Marcel Proust - Leak At Joint Of Section And Barrel

[FredRydr]

My Marcel Proust fountain pen is leaking ink at the joint where the section meets the sterling barrel. Has anyone else had experience with this?

 

I can see what might be a design issue. When the cap is screwed onto the section, the cap exerts pressure against the barrel and that joint. I hope there isn't a materials failure from that stress.

 

For this repair, I am inclined to stick with Montblanc service (probably Hamburg) that will have the parts, and go through the boutique that knows me.

 

Fred

 

[Michael R.]

Sorry to hear :-(

 

Happened a few times. The one I bought had a small crack at that place so I had it repairee by Montblanc.

 

Because it is a metal pen the fee was 250 (ca. three years ago).

 

Cheers

 

Michael

Edited February 27, 2015 by Michael R.

[daddyburns]

Fred, I've had exactly the same issue with my defoe

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/285595-leaky-daniel-defoe/

 

It's gone back to mb to be serviced and looked at

[isaacrn]

i have read this as being a common problem with Proust pens. It is a reason I have been afraid to ink mine. I remember some pens had issues out of the box, while others developed over time.

[FredRydr]

I've only owned it for one of its 16 years (issued in 1999), and who knows what kind of treatment it's had? I'll report on the repair if they actually tell me what the repair involves.

 

If I couldn't ink it, I wouldn't own it!

 

Fred

Edited February 27, 2015 by FredRydr

[BMG]

i have read this as being a common problem with Proust pens. It is a reason I have been afraid to ink mine. I remember some pens had issues out of the box, while others developed over time.

 

The chances of this problem occurring are greatly reduced if the pen is not inked, and virtually eliminated if it is not taken out of the box. isaacrn, your strategy seems foolproof!

 

(Just trying to add a little levity here apologies if it appears irreverent!!!)

 

On a similar note, I have an Omas Bologna that had the same problem. Following advice found on FPN I resealed the section and the problem disappeared with the leak. I suppose by the above comments that such a remedy is not appropriate with the MB pens in question.

[s5blitzer]

i have read this as being a common problem with Proust pens. It is a reason I have been afraid to ink mine. I remember some pens had issues out of the box, while others developed over time.

 

Same feeling here after inking ii once when I first got it with no issues.

[isaacrn]

 

The chances of this problem occurring are greatly reduced if the pen is not inked, and virtually eliminated if it is not taken out of the box. isaacrn, your strategy seems foolproof!

 

 

 

 

This was exactly my thought process. In fact, I don't even look at the darn thing

[torstar]

Sorry to read this, mine hasn't required a repair so far with moderate usage for 11 years.

[josephfabry]

I have a Proust that came with the leak there, when I bought the pen from a seller on eBay. I didn't complain because the deal I got was too good to be true. The pens were an "estate find" and were in an old 1990's Visconti box and listed as "vintage Visconti pens"- In the box was clearly a Proust and an Agatha Christie. eBay buy it now price- including box and papers = $650.00. (of course, the box and papers were for a basic, inexpensive early Visconti pen and pencil set). The seller had done the research, and had listed the buy it now price about $300 more than the crappy Visconti set was worth. They didn't bother to look at the Montblanc white star on both pens. Such a shame. They probably thought they got the better deal than I did.

 

Both pens came beautifully outfitted with EF nibs. The only issue was the leak in the Proust at the section.

 

Sent it through Montblanc Service for $250 for a perfect repair.

 

$900 for EF nib Proust and Christie fountain pens.

 

It was one of the greatest eBay auction wins of my eBay career.

 

Anyway, yes- the Proust service is $250 and the pen has to go to Germany for it. Turn around was almost 3 months. It will come back perfectly new appearing, and with a 1 year warranty.

 

But in the end, Woo Hoo !!! I scored so hard, it was unbelievable.

 

eBay Glory.

 

Good luck with yours, Fred.

 

Joe

 

 

[FredRydr]

Joe,

 

Did you learn what the fix or replaced part was?

 

Fred

[isaacrn]

i can't see whatever they are doing to the pen for three months actually being worth $250. I think for $250, it should be expedited service as well.

[torstar]

i can't see whatever they are doing to the pen for three months actually being worth $250. I think for $250, it should be expedited service as well.

 

Yeah, there are many tears shed for those of us collecting LEs... all those tag day sales held for our survival...

 

The ability to quote a repair estimate that is right on the breaking point of me deciding to scrap the broken pen or watch astounds me. Only the NFL point spread has more mystical powers.

[FredRydr]

And off it goes....! I'll have in back in late spring.

 

Fred

Edited March 2, 2015 by FredRydr

[isaacrn]

And off it goes....! I'll have in back in late spring.

 

Fred

 

 

Keep us posted Fred. I may start using mine, with the anticipation of sending it in one day

[FredRydr]

Usually I use a vintage pen specialist for vintage and some modern repairs, but I figure if the Proust has a cracked part, Hamburg is the only supply for a replacement. It's not like these WE pens are being broken up for parts! If I'm going to own a Proust, I'll just have to bite the bullet to have it done right.

 

I won't be screwing the cap on too tightly hereafter.

 

Fred

[rube1]

I had a similar issue with a Faulkner. I later discovered that others had similar issues with their Faulkners and Shaws. I wonder if it has anything to do with the metal-resin combo.

[torstar]

I had a similar issue with a Faulkner. I later discovered that others had similar issues with their Faulkners and Shaws. I wonder if it has anything to do with the metal-resin combo.

 

 

Hmmm.... I accept that MB is the kingpin in dealing with precious resin product, but maybe this is a bridge too far?

[rube1]

Bridges and infrastructures, always a delicate political topic...

Edited March 3, 2015 by rube1

[FredRydr]

When I delivered it, I added $50 to the $250 experienced by others (above) for advance authorized go-ahead without a quote...to allow for "inflation."

 

Fred