MB Generation: Real or Fake?

[Black Thumb]

I have a MB Generation (?) that was given to me a while back. It would have been purchased in the early 1990s I think.

 

The thing is, it looks a bit different than any other Generation that I've seen pictures of (see attached image). For instance, the top of the cap is flat rather than rounded, the clip has a sharper angle, and the end of the section over the nib has a zig-zag pattern rather than a curve.

 

Is this just an older version of the Generation as I suspect, or could it be a fake? It seems too well-made and writes too well for me to really think it's a fake--and it's old enough to be an earlier style--but I don't know enough about pens to be sure.

 

In any case, it's a nice writer and I think it actually looks better than the current Generation pens, so I like it. It was my favorite pen before I got a Pelikan

Edited May 19, 2006 by Black Thumb

[saintsimon]

It may be one of the predecessors of the 'Generation', e.g. a variant of the 'Classic' from the 80s or older ...

 

http://www.fountainpen.de/pics/sini/old/MB-Classic-Set/IMG_5751.jpg

pic from www. fountainpen.de

 

http://www.fountainpen.de/old-80er-classic-set.htm

 

EDIT:

 

OK, when there is a doubt, there is allways ebay. Here's your pen, an early MB 'Classic', they say.

 

http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6630759074

 

http://www.webalice.it/posarro/a171a.jpg

pic by ebay

Edited May 19, 2006 by saintsimon

[Black Thumb]

Thanks a bunch, saintsimon. I assumed that it was a Generation because it looked so similar. That would explain why I couldn't find a picture of a pen that looked like mine--I was looking for the wrong model name.

[Kees]

I have a Classic myself, bought in the late 70ies (now somewhere in the archives). There was another, very similar model which was cheaper and had a single ring around the cap base instead of a double one. In a later stage it was also available in burgundy.

[chrisb]

If you ask me, it looks like a MB Slivexa from the 1970s. While Pelikan made them in the 1960s, there apparently were also pens with the same series name made by MB.

 

It could also be a MB 320, although the pictures of the ones I've seen didn't have the MB star on the nib.

[Kees]

Even among more knowledgeable people than I am there seems to be some confusion; this website shows the “Classic” (I am not quite sure about the name –I simply took it over):

 

http://www.fountainpen.de/old-80er-classic-set.htm

 

though it is evident that the set shown mixes up two models, the double ring pencil, and the single ring fountain pen. Not surprisingly, there also was a ballpoint; the three made a nice set, particularly because their tops were different (the FP had a big flat top, the pencil a small knob, the ballpoint a lever in the clip), and you could feel which one you were taking from your pocket without looking.

 

Main thing, perhaps: there’s no reason to doubt the authenticity of the first poster’s MB...

Edited May 19, 2006 by Kees

[Black Thumb]

Well, I'm glad to hear that my pen is authentic, although I didn't really have that much doubt. After all, if you're going to fake a MB, why fake one that isn't worth much?

 

However, now I'm really curious as to what model it is. The pen on ebay is obviously the same pen, but just because the seller says it's a Classic doesn't necessarily make it so. None of the pictures of Classics that I've found look like my pen.

 

Kees: is the end of the section over the nib of your Classic a curve or is it like my pen?

 

chrisb: I don't think that my pen is a Silvexa or 320 because it's not that old. Also, though I couldn't find any pictures of the MB Silvexa I found some of the 320 and the cap is different than mine.

 

Neither the guarantee nor the warranty card in the pen box are filled out, but the warranty card shows a printed date of 3/89 so it's not terribly old.

 

Anyone know for sure what model it is? I need to know what to call my pen

[MaryDoe]

I have a similar MB mystery pen with a Carrera-ish bb nib and no trim ring near the barrel/section juncture. It's the same size as my Generation pen--the caps are even swappable--but the section has plastic threads instead of brass. I haven't been able to find any info on this particular model... but it sure is a sweet writer!

Edited May 20, 2006 by MaryDoe

[Black Thumb]

I have a similar MB mystery pen with a Carrera-ish bb nib and no trim ring near the barrel/section juncture. It's the same size as my Generation pen--the caps are even swappable--but the section has plastic threads instead of brass. I haven't been able to find any info on this particular model... but it sure is a sweet writer!

 

Interesting. The section of my pen has plastic threads as well. The cap on your pen is identical to mine, but the section, barrel, and nib are all different.

 

Do you have any idea of when your pen was made?

[Kees]

Kees: is the end of the section over the nib of your Classic a curve or is it like my pen?

Yep, it’s exactly like yours. BTW, around the same time there was also a very similar sterling silver “Meisterstück” with the same section and (white gold) nib; I got it in 1976.

The biggest difference: it was a piston filler. After the (plastic!) mechanism broke for the second time, I swore never again to buy a pen for its expensive materials, and got the black “Classic” as a replacement.

Edited May 21, 2006 by Kees

[MaryDoe]

I have a similar MB mystery pen with a Carrera-ish bb nib and no trim ring near the barrel/section juncture. It's the same size as my Generation pen--the caps are even swappable--but the section has plastic threads instead of brass. I haven't been able to find any info on this particular model... but it sure is a sweet writer!

 

Interesting. The section of my pen has plastic threads as well. The cap on your pen is identical to mine, but the section, barrel, and nib are all different.

 

Do you have any idea of when your pen was made?

My best guess as to date of manufacture would be in the 60's or 70's, but all I can say for sure is that it was made more than ten years ago as that's when it came into my possession.

[Dillo]

Hi,

 

Go ask the forums at fountainpen.de as they are very helpful. I had a Montblanc Caressa that I could not identify and they helped me.

 

Dillon