Montblanc From The 1980S - Barley Corn - Will Mb Do Repairs Still?

[Garageboy]

I have a dented MB 144 Barley with a corroded nib trim ring - does MB still have parts? Anyone know how much they'd charge?

[Chrissy]

I'm confident that Montblanc will repair this and that it would come under the level 1 service charge (cheapest - about $70)

[penparadise]

I also think that Montblanc will repair it for sure but I'm uncertain about the service charge. I worry that they will ask the level 2 rate because it's a Meisterstück Solitaire fountain pen.

Edited October 13, 2017 by penparadise

[torstar]

The usual chatter on here will be they can do anything but may replace with new parts on your vintage prize.

[Garageboy]

I wouldn't call it a vintage prize, it's really bad. As long as the nib and feed is original (which is a terrible writer anyway, but it is a solitaire only 18k nib), I'd be happy. How much is level 2?

[penparadise]

In Germany the service charge level 1 is €68,00 and the level 2 is €94,00.

Go to your local boutique or FPH.

[torstar]

I wouldn't call it a vintage prize, it's really bad. As long as the nib and feed is original (which is a terrible writer anyway, but it is a solitaire only 18k nib), I'd be happy. How much is level 2?

 

Then like me you can sent it back and be very happy with a vintage in excellent (but unoriginal) working order.

[essayfaire]

A part of my 144 of the same vintage just broke - it's the internal part that the holds the cartridge and a part of it seems to have cracked off (though I don't know where it could have gone!). Is that the nib trim ring? I'm trying to figure out if the above discussion applies to my pen. Sorry yours is broken. They are quite nice to use when all parts are in working order.

[Garageboy]

You're referring the cartridge nipple that holds the cartridge in place - (MB definitely can repair that)

I'm talking about the gold plated plastic trim ring above the nib

[Chrissy]

I also think that Montblanc will repair it for sure but I'm uncertain about the service charge. I worry that they will ask the level 2 rate because it's a Meisterstück Solitaire fountain pen.

 

The section is 'precious resin' just like all of the Meisterstück pens, and all they are doing is replacing the ring on the end of it. So they aren't even touching the 'Solitaire' part. I would make that point to them if they wanted to suggest I should pay more because it was a Solitaire pen.

[Chrissy]

The usual chatter on here will be they can do anything but may replace with new parts on your vintage prize.

 

If you ask for a new GP trim band, then that's what they will give you. If you say you want to keep your nib and feed (not that they would dream of changing the nib for service level 1 anyway) then they won't change it.

 

Of course, they won't just put a new band onto an old section, they will replace the complete section. Assuming they still have some. However, they can manage to replace the original nib and feed without breaking it, if you really want to keep your old feed. Within service level 1 though, you could also have a new feed if you want one.

 

Personally, I would always have a new feed for free.

[penparadise]

 

The section is 'precious resin' just like all of the Meisterstück pens, and all they are doing is replacing the ring on the end of it. So they aren't even touching the 'Solitaire' part. I would make that point to them if they wanted to suggest I should pay more because it was a Solitaire pen.

 

Yes, you are absolutely right, Chrissy. But I thought that the Garageboy also wants to have the dents repaired.

[torstar]

 

If you ask for a new GP trim band, then that's what they will give you. If you say you want to keep your nib and feed (not that they would dream of changing the nib for service level 1 anyway) then they won't change it.

 

Of course, they won't just put a new band onto an old section, they will replace the complete section. Assuming they still have some. However, they can manage to replace the original nib and feed without breaking it, if you really want to keep your old feed. Within service level 1 though, you could also have a new feed if you want one.

 

Personally, I would always have a new feed for free.

 

That's a great expanded answer, and I agree about the new feed.

 

But I've read a dozen rants and complaints about a new feed on their restored pens....

 

YMMV

[Chrissy]

 

That's a great expanded answer, and I agree about the new feed.

 

But I've read a dozen rants and complaints about a new feed on their restored pens....

 

YMMV

 

There are always people who rant about getting new feeds on their old pens, but Montblanc will usually replace them unless you specifically tell them not to.

[Chrissy]

 

Yes, you are absolutely right, Chrissy. But I thought that the Garageboy also wants to have the dents repaired.

I must admit I saw the word 'dented 144' in the original post, but I just assumed that the only part required was the nib trim ring. Maybe that was the wrong assumption on my part?

 

There is no chance of getting any dents removed, as Montblanc don't do that.

[Chrissy]

A part of my 144 of the same vintage just broke - it's the internal part that the holds the cartridge and a part of it seems to have cracked off (though I don't know where it could have gone!). Is that the nib trim ring? I'm trying to figure out if the above discussion applies to my pen. Sorry yours is broken. They are quite nice to use when all parts are in working order.

Your pen needs a level one service, and that will include the replacement of the internal part that holds the cartridge, as well as the section that includes the nib trim ring.

 

I wonder if Montblanc automatically replace the clutch inside the cap when fixing these old 144 pens?

[Garageboy]

Yeah, I figured they won't have an nos barrel - going to send it in and ask and see what happens. The dents don't bother me as much, and I could live with it

[essayfaire]

You're referring the cartridge nipple that holds the cartridge in place - (MB definitely can repair that)

I'm talking about the gold plated plastic trim ring above the nib

[essayfaire]

So that's what it's called! I hope they don't charge extra because I was using an international-size non-MB cartridge. $70 sounds like a lot of money for a little black plastic resin piece....

[Chrissy]

Yeah, I figured they won't have an nos barrel - going to send it in and ask and see what happens. The dents don't bother me as much, and I could live with it

 

If they had a NOS barrel, they might quote you a price for it. I bet it won't be included in the service level 1 price though.