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  1. Rosetta59

    344, The Humble Montblanc

    In a previous review I managed to introduce a brief timeline of the 34x series. Now I wish to present to our community a revised, enlarged and corrected version. I hope it may be useful. Many pictures are borrowed from the websites penboard.de and hepworthdixon.com. Tom Westerich (penboard) and Michael Knott (hepworthdixon) kindly permitted me to employ their marvelous images. MB 344, the humble Montblanc The Montblanc 34x series was introduced on the market at the beginning of the fifties; the starting year being 1951 or 1952, even if some pre-series are presumably from 1950. The first type (34x) was produced until 1953; the second (3-4x), after some restyling, from 1953 up to 1957, and the third (34x), from 1957 up to 1960, when the production was halted. The 34x series was intended as a third tier (i.e. third price range) following the flagship 14x and the middle priced 24x / 25x / 26x. 344 / 342 stand for: 3 (third tier); 4 (piston filling system); and 4 / 2 (the nib size) Tech Specifications Technically speaking these fountain pens are of ordinary level, as expected from an “jeden erschwinglich” economy range (so to speak… the original price of a 344 model in 1952-53 was 20 DM, with a contemporary exchange rate of 11.70 DM for a UK pound, this translates in 34 shillings and two pence, when a Conway Stewart 58 – the top of the line during those years – was priced 31 shillings and six pence). Models 34x do not show smart technical innovations, but the quality is nevertheless high. The clip is retained by a domed stud, with a white Montblanc signet inlaid to the top. The clip is a ring-type, screw mounted, it has a frozen drop shape. The cap itself screws on the body of the pen. The models 342 and 3-42 are 125 mm long when closed, their diameter is 13 mm and the weight is 15.8 gr. The models 344 and 3-44 are 134 mm long when closed, their diameter is 13.5 mm and the weight is 17.5 gr. Variations do exist among the series. Montblanc brochure with available models - 1955 (?) Materials The very initial production run consisted of celluloid models with an amber ink window. Thereafter the 34x were produced in molded injection plastic with a pale blue ink window. The cap ring (only one) was gold filled as well as the clip. The nib was gold 14 ct. (models 34xG and 3-4xG). Until 1957, the 34x and 3-4x models were equipped also with steel nibs. The feed was made in ebonite. Filling System On these fountain pens we found a classic piston filling system, already employed by Montblanc in its whole production at the time. The first series have a cork sealed, prewar-like piston with a shorter knob, while the later series have a plastic seal piston. Versions The 34x fountain pens were made in two sizes, related to the nib class: the smaller 342 (with a size 2 nib) and the medium 344 (with a size 4 nib). The letter “G” was added to the model number of the pens (Goldfeder) when a gold nib was employed; no letter when the nib was stainless steel (at least until 1957, when the 344 -w/o added letters- had a gold nib). The first 34x series had the single gold band near the cap’s lip. On the cap there was the iconic prewar engraving MONT- ^^BLANC. The ink window on the first celluloid models was amber; the following models were plastic with a pale blue window. The section is concave in the former version. The piston knob has a shorter size than the newer versions. It is engraved with the model #, the “G”, when appropriate, and the tip size . The feed in ebonite is flat (“ski slope”) with long grooves and the domed stud on the cap is engraved with the outline of the Montblanc star, like the old 33x series. The final 34x version (1957 up to 1960) is made in injection molded plastic. The cap ring was substituted with a gold band which covered the cap’s lip and was engraved with “MONTBLANC” and “ * 344 * ” or “ * 342 * ”. The iconic prewar engraving on the cap was withdrawn (even if there are very scarce transitional samples with both engravings). The ink window remained pale blue and the section was straight. On the domed stud a solid white Montblanc star appeared as on the 14x series. The piston knob was a long one, with the nib size engraved. The feed is now rounded with full length grooves. The nib was always in gold 14 ct. on the 344. Some 342 “G” do exist in this last version. So, probably, some 342 with steel nib were available in the last production run. Production Timeline (proposed scheme – a similar one may apply to the 342 / 3-42) Production dates are proposed on the basis of MB catalogues, brochures and the book “Collectible Stars”(cit. page 13) 344G(1). First production run, 1950 (?) Models 344G and 344. The star on the top is outlined white. On the cap there is engraved: MONT-^^BLANC. The cap ring, unengraved, leaves a free lip. The piston knob is short (with 344G or 344 and the tip size engraved), the ink window is amber and the body is made in celluloid. The feed is made in ebonite, with a “ski-slope” shape. The section is a smooth center-concave shaped cylinder. 344G(2). Second series, 1951 - 1953 (?) Models 344G and 344. Same as above, but the body is made in injection molded plastic. The ink window is pale blue. There are both long and short ink window versions. 3-44G(1). Third series, 1953 – 1954 (?) Models 3-44G and 3-44. (Note that there is the dash) The star on the top is outlined white. On the cap there is engraved: MONT-^^BLANC. The cap ring, unengraved, leaves a free lip. The piston knob is short (with 3-44G or 3-44 and the tip size engraved), the long ink window is pale blue and the body is made in injection molded plastic. The feed is made in ebonite, with a “ski-slope” shape. The section is the usual concave. 3-44G(2). Fourth series, 1954 – 1956 (?) Models 3-44G and 3-44. (Note that there is the dash) The star on the top is outlined white. On the cap there is engraved: MONT-^^BLANC. The cap band, unengraved, covers the lip. The piston knob is short (with 3-44G or 3-44 and the tip size engraved), the long (or short) ink window is pale blue and the body is made in injection molded plastic. The feed is made in ebonite, with a “ski-slope” shape. The section is the usual concave. 3-44G(3). Fifth series, 1956 – 1957 (?) Models 3-44G and 3-44. (Note that there is the dash) The star on the top is solid white and smaller than the outlined. On the cap there is engraved: MONT-^^BLANC. The cap band, unengraved, covers the lip. The piston knob is long (with 3-44G or 3-44 and the tip size engraved), the short ink window is pale blue and the body is made in injection molded plastic. The feed is made in ebonite, with a “ski-slope” shape. The section can be either the usual concave one or the newer straight truncated cone, smooth. 344(3). Sixth series (and last), 1957 – 1960 Model 344 (all with gold nib 14 ct.) The star on the top is solid white and smaller than the outlined. The cap is unengraved. The cap band, engraved with “MONTBLANC *344*”, covers the lip. The piston knob is long (with the tip size engraved), the short ink window is pale blue and the body is made in injection molded plastic. The feed is made in ebonite, with a “rounded” shape and two long grooves. The section is a straight truncated cone, smooth. Page from a Montblanc Catalogue, 1957 Colours These pens were initially produced only in glossy black. Then plastic models followed where the color was petrol blue, mahogany red, olive green, and pearl grey, with a clear ink window or no window at all. Some red models are described as “burgundy”. Generally speaking the fancy models were probably intended for export. At least one model was manufactured in Spain (see the last image before the "MB star"). Nibs These pens were produced with two nib sizes: #2 and #4, such as the final number of the model (either 342 and 344). There were two types: a gold plated steel nib (342 and 344 of the first series) and a solid 14 ct. gold (342 G / 344 G on the former series and 342 / 344 on the latter). #2 nib is 23 mm long, while #4 nib is 28 mm long. Tip size ranged from EF to BB (oblique types were available). On the nib there was engraved (in six lines): “MONT”, “BLANC”, “14C”, “MONTBLANC”, “585”, and “342” or “344” (hidden under the section). Timeline adapted from www.fountainpen.it Model 344(3) 1957 – 1960 (penboard.de) On the web a great deal of information is available : more than half a million sites are the result of a simple search with keywords “Montblanc 344” or “Montblanc 3-44”; more than 1500 images are available on the net in the same search. Summary Table – 344 / 3-44 Versions Anyway, “mixed” or “franken” models do exist with caps, knobs or feeds added in a further period. In this table and in the whole article, only those models with multiple entries in different websites, such as penboard, hepworth-dixon, eBay, and other dotcoms, were considered. This in order to possibly avoid a frankenpen to be identified as an additional version. A page from a vintage Montblanc catalogue, probably ‘54, since there are both the 24x models and the 042 with steel nib (1954 was the last production year of the 24x series and the start of the 042). Here the 344 represented is a 3-44[G](2). Nat – (Italy) Dec 2015 Images 344G(1) Made in celluloid with the amber window. This appears to be the original first production run. penboard.de 344G(2) (Long Window) the body is plastic with the blue window. 3-44G(1) (Long Window) the cap ring is not at lip.On the knob the model number is already with a dash. penboard.de 3-44G(2) The star is still outlined but the cap band covers the lip. hepworthdixon.com ​ ​ The two feeds we find on the different 344 and 3-44 models: the old type (ski-slope) is on the left. The former type was in use by Montblanc from 1950-52 to 1955, while the newer type was emplo-yed from 1955 onwards (as in the article by Barry Gabay on PenWorld: Dating Montblanc 149s). The pen on the left has the former concave smooth section, while the newer has the straight one. (hepworthdixon.com) 3-44[G](3) (Short Window) the cap band is unengraved and the star is solid white. “G” is not engraved on the knob because this pen had probably a native steel nib. penboard.de Final Model 344(3) (Short Window) the engraving is now on the cap band. White solid star. Model 344G(1) España (note the stud) _________________________________________________________________________________________ The Montblanc Star*: This is the cap of a Montblanc 344(3), the latest model 1957-1960 - (personal author’s collection). *Actually it is not a star, but a graphic representation of the six glaciers on top of the Mont Blanc. The price of a 344, from 1950 to the production end, in 1960, was 20 DM. Practically speaking, it was about 1/7th of the price of the Troy Ounce of Gold. Considering the price of the gold ounce now (December 2015, one gold ounce = 984 € or 1075 $), we have 141 € or 154 $. In the book “Collectible Stars” by J.Rosler & S.Wallrafen (O.W. Gmbh, Oberhausen 2001), the rarity of the 344 models is set at the 2nd ranking (i.e. easy to find) and the price is set at 02 (from 50 to 150 euros – 2001). The average price of a vintage 344 on eBay in November 2015 is 155 US $ (from 72 to 311 US $). The average price of a vintage 344 on eBay in December 2015 is 188 US $ (from 101 to 483 US $). The price requested on eBay for vintage 344s for sale today, 20th Dec 2015, ranges from 225 to 369 US $ (dependent on the conditions of the pen). In the book “Collectible Stars”, already cited, we find (page 31) only three types of 344s: first (id 1095), produced 1951-53 has the star outlined and cap ring above the lip; second (id 1098), produced 1954-56 has the solid white star and an unengraved cap ring above the lip; third (id 1100), produced 1957-60, has the solid white star and the engraved cap band covers the lip. 1095 ………… is identifiable with either the present 344G(1) or 344G(2) 1098 ………… I have never seen pictures of this 344 subtype 1100 ………… is identifiable with the present 344(3) Notably, the 3-44 (note the dash) models are not quoted in the book _________________________________________________ MB MAINTENANCE BOOKLET 1956: pages 12,13 (here the pen is a 3-44[G](2)) From the site www.caprafico.com “PREVIOUS MODELS” (i.e. those older than 1956) pages 48,49 (here the pen is a 344G(1 or 2)) Note: -The new piston with the long knob (page 13) -The old piston with a shorter knob (page 49) -A mistake in the “exploded” view of the piston, a short (instead of a longer) cone is shown (page 13) -The cap band covers the lip (page 12) -The new barrel (page 12) -The cap ring leaves the lip free (page 48) -The old barrel (page 48) Hope this may be of help.
  2. This review includes a short history / timeline of the 34x series and the review itself. 1. The Montblanc humble 34x The Montblanc 34x series was introduced on the market at the beginning of the fifties; the starting year being 1951 or 1952, even if some pre-series are presumably from 1950. The first type was produced until 1953; the second, after some restyling, from 1954 up to 1960. The 34x series was intended as a third thier following the flag models 14x and the middle priced 24x / 25x / 26x. 344 / 342 stand for: 3 (third thier); 4 (piston filling system); and 4 or 2 (the nib size) Tech Specifications Technically speaking these fountain pens are of ordinary level, as expected from an “jeden erschwinglich” economy range (so to speak… the original price in 1952-53 was 20 DM, with a contemporary exchange rate of 11.70 DM for a UK pound, this translates in 34 shillings and two pence, when a Conway Stewart 58 – the top of the CS line during those years – was priced 31 shillings and six pence). Models 34x do not show smart technical innovations, but the quality is nevertheless high. Clip is retained by a domed stud, with white Montblanc signet inlaid to the top. The clip is the ring-type and screw mounted. The cap itself screws on the body of the pen. The model 342 is 125 mm long when closed, its diameter is 13 mm and the weight is 15.8 gr. The model 344 is 134 mm long when closed, its diameter is 13.5 mm and the weight is 17.5 gr. Variations do exist among the series. Materials The very initial production run consisted in celluloid models with an amber ink window. Thereafter both 344 and 342 were produced in molded injection plastic with a pale blue ink window. The cap ring (only one) was gold filled as well as the clip. Apart the very first models which had a wartime – like steel nib, the nib was gold 14 carat (across the web, rare late samples sometimes appear with a gold plated steel nib). The feed was made in ebonite. Filling System On these fountain pens we found a classic piston filling system, already employed by Montblanc in its whole production at the time. A pre-series seems to exist, with the pre-war piston model, with a shorter knob. The first series has the cork seal piston, while the second has a plastic seal piston. Versions The 34x fountain pens were made in two sizes, related to the nib class: the smaller 342 (with a size 2 nib) and the medium 344 (with a size 4 nib). The letter “G” was added to the model number of the former samples (Goldfeder) when a gold nib was employed; no letter when the nib was steel. The first type (1951-53) has a single gold band near the cap’s lip. On the cap there is the iconic prewar engraving MONT- BLANC with the mountain inbetween. The ink window on the initial celluloid models is amber. The section is curved in the former version. The piston knob has a larger size than the newer version. It is engraved with the model #, the “G”, when appropriate, and the tip size . The feed in ebonite is flat (“sky slope”) with long grooves and the domed stud on the cap is engraved with the outline of the Montblanc star, like the old 33x series. The second version (1953-54 up to 1960) is made in injection molded plastic. The cap ring is substituted with a gold band which covered the cap’s lip and is engraved with “MONTBLANC” and “ * 344 * ” or “ * 342 * ”. The iconic prewar engraving on the cap was withdrawn (even if there are very scarce transitional samples with both engravings). The ink window becomes pale blue and the section is straight. On the domed stud a solid white Montblanc star appears as on the 14x series. The piston knob is a short one and the feed is now rounded with full length grooves. Colours These pens were initially produced in glossy black. Then plastic models followed where the colour was petrol blue, mahogany red, olive green, and pearl grey, with a clear ink window. Some colour models do not have the ink window. Manifold nib versione exist in black with a blue domed stud. Nibs These pens were produced with two nib sizes: #2 and #4, such as the final number of the model (either 342 and 344). There were two types: a gold plated steel nib (342 and 344 of the first series) and a solid 14 ct. gold (342 G / 344 G on the former series and 342 / 344 on the latter). #2 nib is 23 mm long, while #4 nib is 28 mm long. Tip size ranged from EF to BB and even oblique varieties were offered Timeline Year Facts 1951-52 The Company introduces the Montblanc 34x 1952 The Company introduces the cheap model Monterosa 1953-54 34x restyling 1955 34x second restyling 1956 The prewar MONTBLANC cap engraving is definitely eliminated 1958 The Company produces the 34x with a clear window and blue, red, grey or green body 1959 The Company closes its Danish production site 1960 End of Montblanc 34x production I followed, adapted, changed and added to a nice article from www.fountainpen.it Please, feel free to amend and add everything may be appropriate. 2. Description and Review of my sample: a late 344. As you can see from the following pictures, this is an MB 344 II type (1955-1960). The Nib is EF in yellow gold 14 k size 4. Ebonite is the material of the feed which is rounded, with full length grooves. The capped length is 13.4 cm (5 ¼ inches). The cap is 6.2 cm long and the body 12.0 cm. The cap diameter is 13.5 mm and the weight is 17.6 gr. (average of three measurements on lab equipment). The simple clip and the band on the cap’s lip are gold plated (from micro scratches I can see only with incident light by a 7x loupe, my opinion is that gold plating is quite thick). The domed stud shows a quite little solid white star recalling the proportions of the white star on the 149’s cap. On the cap band the words “MONTBLANC” and “* 344 *”are engraved. The nib has an EF tip. The following words are engraved on the nib: “MONT” and “BLANC” in two rows, 14C in a third row, “MONTBLANC” in a fourth row, “585” in a fifth and (I suppose) “344” in the last row, hidden under the straight section. The ink window is pale blue and shows the plastic seal of the piston (when turned downward). The body does not show engravings while the turning knob is engraved with the simple tip size “EF”. The pen is quite light, has good proportions in my hands (I have hands of average size) and managed smooth and light even in long writing session. The cap screws firmly to the body. Under the cap … a marvelous size #4 gold nib, the big gun of this fountain pen (not size related, because it is 28 mm long…). The writing experience is absolutely smooth on every type of paper where I wrote: from common xerox paper, to my favourite Fabria paper (100 gr. / m2 with felt marked finish). For me a wonderful surprise: this is the first time I appreciate this smoothness of an EF nib, since generally i find them a bit scratchy. Up to now I employed only one ink, the Pelikan Edelstein Sapphire. When I charged for the first time I doubted the piston worked, because of the very, very light resistance I felt. Piston worked well and charged a good amount of ink, able to perform longer than my other piston-fillers. I bought the pen from the site of Tom Westerich, which all you know. Tom is a very friendly person, with a huge knowledge in the writing instrument field, experience and craftsmanship in pen restoration. He described this pen as near mint, but he was wrong: the pen is better, because I can see only storage wrinkles and only with my 7x loupe or at high enlargement in my pictures. The feed was immaculate and so the nib and the ink window. No posting rings were present, no scratches, no hairlines (so common in pens from the fifties…), no dents, nothing ! Actually a little dot of old ink was identified by my loupe on the bottom of the knob. A simple wet microfibre cloth was not able to solve the problem, but a single pass by hand (only by a finger) with my trusty pen polish from Tryphon site solved brightly the question and now the knob is sparkling new… The pen was not cheap at 295 euros (then I had some discount…), but I can see that average prices in completed listings on eBay are in the range 72 – 311 US $ in these last two months (I cannot comment on the quality of the pens, but these do not seem to me of a great level). Moreover, today (Dec the 8th) I see sellers on eBay which set high prices for average condition MB 344s such as from 225 to 369 US $. So I am grateful to Tom… Up to now I can’t see any space to sell my pen in the future (what a nightmare this idea !) This pen sits in my “The magnificent three” group with my Conway Stewart 58 and my Soennecken 100 (all from the end of fifties… was that a real gold age for FPs ?) Greetings from Italy !
  3. Morning all! I'm a novice fountain pen 'collector', have been writing with fountain pens for about a year and a half. I'm looking into getting a vintage pen. I've recently purchased a beautiful vintage Waterman's fine flex in robin's egg blue, which is beautiful. I'm now looking at a few choices in Montblanc. I'm looking for a really good flex pen in Montblanc, but I'm not familiar with Montblanc's number system. If anyone could help, I'd greatly appreciate it! Here are my choices: Montblanc Meisterstuck 114 Mozart w/ M 14k gold nib, 585 engraved, very good condition - $259 Mid 1950s Montblanc 344 w/ EF full flex, solid 14c gold nib, 585 engraved, very good condition - $290 1939 Montblanc 332 w/ Oblique Medium #2 flex nib, near-mint condition - $265 Thank you! - Devon





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