Thinking About Trying A Vintage 144...

[Offret]

I'm a Parker 51 guy. I have two that I use for daily writing - I am not a collector, but a user. I carry my pen(s) in a leather case. I use them to jot down notes, and to write scenarios. Despite being a 6' athletic male with big hands, I much prefer the 'normal' sized vintage pens (P51, Pelikan 200/400, Etc.). They are far more practical for daily carry, and I find them superior for long writing sessions. I've never considered Mont Blanc before, and I really have no interest in their modern pens. However, after doing some research, I have been somewhat enthralled by the 1950s 144 model. I know little about it except that:

 

Is vintage.

Is made of celluloid...?

Has a metal piston filler...?

The nibs are beautiful writers...?

Has a slip cap...?

It was part of the top-end-range of MB pens during is production...?

Prices are reasonable because it is not as popular as 146/149 models...?

Only comes in two colours: black and burgundy...? (easy choice)

Is smaller than the 146 and 149!!!

 

All these things add up to a pen that checks all my boxes. Am I missing anything?

 

Currently have a lonely Pelikan. It's nice, but I dislike the screw on cap and conspicuous styling for daily carry. If the 144 fits all my needs, I will sell the Pelikan. Even though the P51 is my perfect pen, I enjoy the history/mechanics/romance of an exposed nib piston-filler enough to seek out one perfect example that works for EDC (in addition to my two beloved P51s). So far, the vintage MB 144 seems to fit the bill. Now where to find a beautiful restored example? Input is appreciated.

Edited December 17, 2017 by Offret

[hari317]

50s 144s are indeed celluloid. Feature the two stage telescopic piston. Came only in black with gold trim as far as I know and have a threaded cap.

 

The nibs are wonderful more often than not.

[Offret]

50s 144s are indeed celluloid. Feature the two stage telescopic piston. Came only in black with gold trim as far as I know and have a threaded cap.

 

The nibs are wonderful more often than not.

 

Black is my colour choice - I [mistakingly] thought they also came in burgundy.

 

Damn on the threaded cap. It's not a deal breaker, but one of the reasons why I don't EDC my Pelikan. Could have swore I read they had clutch - maybe that was the later versions.

 

Thanks for your input.

[hari317]

Yes. The later C/C version of the 144 had a push on to click cap and it did come in the red color.

 

The mb 64x and 74x celluloid models did come with slip caps. HTH.

[jmnav]

I'm a Parker 51 guy. I have two that I use for daily writing - I am not a collector, but a user. I carry my pen(s) in a leather case. I use them to jot down notes, and to write scenarios. Despite being a 6' athletic male with big hands, I much prefer the 'normal' sized vintage pens (P51, Pelikan 200/400, Etc.). They are far more practical for daily carry, and I find them superior for long writing sessions. I've never considered Mont Blanc before, and I really have no interest in their modern pens. However, after doing some research, I have been somewhat enthralled by the 1950s 144 model. I know little about it except that:

The Montblanc 144 is a very nice pen indeed but pay attention it's quite small; thinner and shorter than a Parker 51 or a Pelikan 200/400 which after looking at standards of the past I wouldn't say to be "normal" size for vintage, but more "average-to-big" ones (surprising, uh?). Here comes a (very bad quality) photo for comparation. From left to right, MB 144 (fifties), MB 146 (fifties), Pelikan 215 (same size than a 200/400), a Waterman Hundred Year 'de Luxe' (the biggest one) and a modern day MB 146. In fact, as you can see, a modern day MB 146 is only a splitted hair longer than a Pelikan 400, but it's much wider (specially at the section, where I find it to be more noticeable):

http://mithrandir.undominio.net/public/sizes_comparation.jpg

 

Is vintage.

 

Yes. It was produced on the fifties.

 

Is made of celluloid...?

 

Yes. And then, pay attention that the cheaper units you can find will most probably show shrinkage problems, specially on the cap, because of that.

 

Has a metal piston filler...?

 

Yes. The very well regarded telescopic piston. It holds quite a volume. I find this pen (along with her 146 sister) to be very well balanced and with the perfect weight (for my tastes). The wider girth of the 50's 146 I find to be even better.

 

The nibs are beautiful writers...?

 

My unit sports a very nice semi-flex nib (more to the flex side). I regard it as one of the nicest I own (but take it with a grain of salt; I'm merely a user, just like you, so not very expert on the matter).

 

Has a slip cap...?

 

No. An screw on one. I in fact do prefer them but, of course, to each its own.

 

It was part of the top-end-range of MB pens during is production...?

 

It was. A part of the Meisterstück series, just as it's implied by its numeral starting on '1'.

 

Prices are reasonable because it is not as popular as 146/149 models...?

It depends on what you consider 'reasonable'. Vintage Montblancs have been always expensive and I'd say their prices are growing at a fast pace. I think there are some units on sell here right now so you can get a taste of it.

 

Only comes in two colours: black and burgundy...? (easy choice)

 

Nope! Vintage 144 and 146 came in black and in a short range of really impressive threaded celluloid (at least green and grey). But then, it's still an easy choice: the colored units more than multiply their prices.

 

Is smaller than the 146 and 149!!!

 

It's certainly smaller than a 149 or a modern 146 but, as you can see above, it's the same lenght than a 50's 146, only thinner.

 

All these things add up to a pen that checks all my boxes. Am I missing anything?

The only thing I can say is: make sure you like its size.

 

Currently have a lonely Pelikan. It's nice, but I dislike the screw on cap and conspicuous styling for daily carry. If the 144 fits all my needs, I will sell the Pelikan. Even though the P51 is my perfect pen, I enjoy the history/mechanics/romance of an exposed nib piston-filler enough to seek out one perfect example that works for EDC (in addition to my two beloved P51s). So far, the vintage MB 144 seems to fit the bill. Now where to find a beautiful restored example? Input is appreciated.

The 50's 144 is also screw on cap and I wouldn't say it's any less conspicuous than a Pelikan 400. And then, you could probably buy at least two 50's Pelikan 400 for the price of a single MB 144 of same age and conservation.

Edited December 17, 2017 by jmnav

[CS388]

Hello Offret

 

Quick phone snaps, for size comparison (apologies to the photographers on the board):

 

 

 

The 254 would be in the (approx) same size range as the 51, and has a slip-on cap (beware of cracked examples). You'd get a wonderful nib, but not the twin telescoping piston - and it is a 2nd tier pen, unlike the Meisterstuck.

 

Oh - and it has been many years since I have seen the words reasonably priced and vintage celluloid Montblanc in the same sentence.

 

Good luck in your quest.

[Offret]

Thanks for the thought out reply, and thanks for the pic comparisons guys. Much appreciated!!!

 

I write with my pens posted, so the 144 looks okay length wise.

 

I'm okay with threaded cap. I'm not okay with a really thick barrel - again, the 144 looks about the same thickness as the P51.

 

Reasonably price is relative - I am speaking in reference to 146 and 149 models of same vintage as well as modern pens.

 

Does anybody have a comparison pics of vintage 146 and P51 capped and posted?

 

Thanks again!

[Offret]

What are the differences between the 1950s 144s and the 1980s W. German 144s? Besides being made of celluloid and plastic respectively.

[CS388]

Here we go. Same poor quality phone snaps, but may be useful for size comparison.

Celluloid 146 has a wider girth than the 144 and 51.

Other than this, it feels much the same in the hand, as the 144.

 

 

[Offret]

Here we go. Same poor quality phone snaps, but may be useful for size comparison.

Celluloid 146 has a wider girth than the 144 and 51.

Other than this, it feels much the same in the hand, as the 144.

 

 

 

Thank you! Knowing that the 51 is the perfect width for me, the 144 looks to be the model I'm after.

[hari317]

What are the differences between the 1950s 144s and the 1980s W. German 144s? Besides being made of celluloid and plastic respectively.

The 1979 onwards ones are cartridge converter pens. Slimmer. Have push caps. Very different pens. Edited December 17, 2017 by hari317

[Offret]

Thanks! I will stick with 50s model.

[jmnav]

Thanks! I will stick with 50s model.

 

Given that you say you use them capped, I'd say yes, go ahead, but... I wouldn't use a celluloid montblanc capped: they scratch quite easily.

 

Also consider that while 80/90's 144 can't be compared to 50's 144 since they are so different, current 145 "chopin" is somehow truer to its older 144 cousin and can be found used for basically peanuts (the nib is going to be a nail, though, but if you like the Parker 51, this shouldn't be a problem).

 

Finally, if you still want to go after a 50's model, don't dismiss 2xx or even 3xx just because they are not "top tier". Back then -at least for Montblanc, 2nd, 3rd tier didn't mean "lower quality" but just "less glow"... you can find them cheaper and 24x are even snap on! (but beware cap's lip: it is said to be prone to crack).