Authentic 149?

[bookbinder3]

Hello all,

 

I'm hoping you can help me authenticate this pen (or not). I got it on eBay from a seller called margi0849_nmwxzsm (Mike). He sells lots of tools and things relating to Montblanc pens. If he is a member here, I hope he isn't offended by me coming here to check it out, it's merely for my own peace of mind. It came in a modern box, but says Germany on the clip. It felt a bit light compared to my 146 (which says W. Germany) but I weighed them and it is 6 grams heavier (29 compared to 23, though this still seems light). The nib looks okay and piston works smoothly (looks to be a clear plastic). The engraving on the cap looks smaller than that on my 146, and the white star doesn't seem to be alligned the same as my other pens. The clip also seems a little loose, and when looking underneath seems to be hollow inside the raised section on top of the clip, rather than twice as thick. Anyway, here are some pictures, the new 149 is on the right, my West Germany 146 on the left.

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

[piscov]

It´s a legit MB 149 FP.

[jar]

It's impossible to authenticate a Montblanc based on pictures today but I don't see anything that shouts fake. Remember we have reached the point where even full transparent piston filled fake 149s have shown up.

[Chrissy]

Yes it's authentic. It's just later than your 146. It looks to me like the nib and feed have been out because they should both be set slightly further in than they currently are. That feed notch should not be so visible, and the nib is clearly further out than it should normally be.

[Chrissy]

Remember we have reached the point where even full transparent piston filled fake 149s have shown up.

 

I've never seen one

[chunya]

It looks OK to me as well. Lots of things with MBs evolved over the years, including the lettering, clip styles etc. When you say the clip is loose there shouldn't be any lateral give as the clip ring should 'slot into' the top section.

[Chrissy]

The clip should be hollow, as described, too. If it is slightly loose, then that's not a difficult fix.

[jar]

Look up inside the cap and see if there is a slotted screw head visible.

[bookbinder3]

Thanks for everyone's responses. Yeah, screw head is visible in the cap like I'd expect. And it has the dark red glow when I shine a torch in it. I know it's so hard to keep track of all the changes Mb has made to their pens over the years. Makes you wonder how they can even authenticate their own products.

[jar]

Thanks for everyone's responses. Yeah, screw head is visible in the cap like I'd expect. And it has the dark red glow when I shine a torch in it. I know it's so hard to keep track of all the changes Mb has made to their pens over the years. Makes you wonder how they can even authenticate their own products.

If you see the screw head that may be all that's needed to tighten the clip.

[bookbinder3]

Oh great! One thing I'm noticing that seems strange is the U in meisterstuck on this one looks like a normal U with a dot in-between the two prongs, whereas the U on my other pens has the umlaut like I'd expect to see.

[Chrissy]

It's always a U with an umlaut.

[bookbinder3]

This may be a problem then, or just a quirk, I don't know. I know it should be an umlaut, but it really looks like a dot between the two uprights of the U.

[jar]

The stamping changed over time. Nothing to worry about there.

[zaddick]

This u is also fine. I have seen this on some pens. No concerns for me regarding authenticity.

[CS388]

Nice 149. Nothing to worry about, here.

 

Congrats. And welcome to the 149 club.

[bookbinder3]

Thanks everyone! That's put my mind at rest. I can just enjoy it now.

[Wolverine1]

Bookbinder- now that you are satisfied that your 149 is not a fake, fill it with your favorite ink, and get to writing with it!!! And then take couple of pictures so that we can see a writing sample from your new 149!!!!!! :)

[torstar]

look great to me

 

[drool...]

[BlueJ]

The patina of wear (microscratches) on this pen looks very natural.

 

What counterfeiter would manufacture a perfect copy of a standard 149, use it for ten years (or meticulously abrade it to simulate normal use) then sell it on eBay for the price of a used 149? The economics makes little sense.

 

I know the issue was settled already for the pen in question, but this kind of clue might be helpful in other cases.