Authenticity And Id Check Pls.

[morningtundra]

Hello,

 

I recently acquired this fountain pen from ebay. It's my first MB and I'm very out of my depth and swimming with the sharks on ebay.

 

I was hoping someone could help me authenticate it (or not as the case may be). Looking at this sticky, I'm unable to identity the nib or feed... which has got me worried.

 

I've also been unable to identify it. Is it a 144? It's rather small and I show it here next to my P75 for comparison.

 

Any help would be much appreciated.

 

(apologies for the poor phone-photos).

 

Thanks

 

Colin

 

 

 

Edited December 11, 2017 by morningtundra

[Rowbo]

Looks like a genuine 144 Meisterstuck Classique to me. (Since this pen went out of production MB have recycled the Classique name for the 145 - a slightly larger pen with a screw cap).

 

The gold band right on the cap lip and the band behind the nib (which often corrodes) is distinctive for this model. It seems to be a 1980's version and is complete with its nib size sticker indicating it has not had much use. That sticker says W-Germany, so it is likely pre-unification.

[morningtundra]

Thank you.

[Rowbo]

Also, it is possible that this pen will not take the modern threaded MB converters and would need an old push-fit one.

[morningtundra]

It came with a push fit converter that looks to have never been inked.

 

To be honest, I'm undecided if this is a keeper. The M nib is a little broad for my small hand writing. Do you know if the nib is easily replaceable? I'm hesitant to yank on it too hard to find out.

 

I would have loved to try a more contemporary and larger version such as the 146 but the prices are a little strong. Especially for an EF or oblique nib. This seemed like a relatively low cost way of entering the deep and mysterious world of MB.

Edited December 11, 2017 by morningtundra

[Chrissy]

Yes definitely an authentic Meisterstück 144 or Classique. No longer made and now replaced by the new Classique or 145 with screw cap.

 

No the nib is not easily replaceable. It's not intended to be a user removable part.

[Rowbo]

Even if you could get it out, and I'm not sure how to do this on this model, finding another nib could be difficult. Do not try until you are sure how to and have a replacement. MB do not sell spare parts for people to replace themselves and sending it in for a new nib is costly. If the size, weight and other features of the pen are right for you then a re-grind might be the way to go, or sell the pen as it is and save up for a 145/146/147/149 with the nib size you want.

 

(Some would say go for the 149 straight away as you will eventually get one anyway).

[Pravda]

You have a pretty nice vintage monotone nib which is usually appreciated for its feel and looks. I personally would keep it. Try applying less pressure on the nib and/or adjusting ink flow to perhaps produce finer lines. Also choice of ink matters. Some inks run more wet making your writing bigger.

[meiers]

A very nice pen.

I would use cartridges in it.

[morningtundra]

I've been using the Waterman Standard long cartridges. It's a pleasantly wet and smooth writing experience.

 

I like the aesthetic look and smooth tactile feel in the hand; though it's very light and almost insubstantial compared to the heavy sterling silver P75 I'm coming from. Is the 149 much heavier than this 144?.

 

I've read about corrosion of the gold plastic ring on the end of the Section. There seems to be a "suggestion" this is made worse by use of the push fit converter and that cartridges can be helpful in avoiding this. Any validity to this or just an urban myth?

[Rowbo]

Maybe it depends on the type of ink it's being dipped into each time it's refilled (if using a converter) and/or the frequency of capping/uncapping, amongst other things.

 

My 144/146/149 - 18/28/38 g empty, due to the size difference and hence the amount of plastic in each rather than anything else. If you want a heavy pen, then you will need to look at the metal-bodied ones. Here my experience ends, as I do not have one.

[Chrissy]

I've been using the Waterman Standard long cartridges. It's a pleasantly wet and smooth writing experience.

 

I like the aesthetic look and smooth tactile feel in the hand; though it's very light and almost insubstantial compared to the heavy sterling silver P75 I'm coming from. Is the 149 much heavier than this 144?.

 

I've read about corrosion of the gold plastic ring on the end of the Section. There seems to be a "suggestion" this is made worse by use of the push fit converter and that cartridges can be helpful in avoiding this. Any validity to this or just an urban myth?

 

 

I'm surprised that Waterman cartridges fit into this pen at all, as it's meant to take either Montblanc or International short cartridges.

 

The converter allows you to fill from bottled ink, and as long as you are careful to either not dip the GP band into the ink, or always wipe off any ink on there after filling, it should last much longer.

 

Yes the 149 is heavier than the 144. There are details about 149 weights on the first page of the Montblanc forum.