Montblanc 144 With Push-in Converter?

[dmuchow]

I recently received a Classique in burgundy from eBay. Its has some light scratches, obviously well used but nothing that some polish won't fix. I compared it to my known authentic early 90's Classique and either this is an excellent fake, or a very early Classique.

 

It has a flat feed, push in converter (kind of cheapish looking, compared to my other converter.) and monotone nib.

 

The imprinting on the cap (Montblanc Meisterstuck) looks more like my mid 1980's LeGrande 146 styling than the newer Classique which leads me to believe its just an older Classique. Also the gold monotone nib is kind of "plain" looking, again like the LeGrande.

 

If I wouldn't have read that eBay article stating that NO Classique has a push in converter, I probably wouldn't be questioning the authenticity. However, EVERYTHING else about this (except maybe the feed?) pen is montblanc.. even the way the nib is ground reminds me of montblanc (with a 'flat' grind on the top of the tipping material). I can switch the pen barrel to my authentic classique and it screws in securely.

 

So is there such a thing as a MB Classique with push in converter? I've looked for 2 hours and cannot find a decent Classique authentication guide-line or similar thread here on FPN. I'll hopefully have some pictures taken tonight.

 

EDIT: I just found this thread and on the last post is a picture of EXACTLY the converter I have. Only thing now is the flat feed. So I'm 98% sure this is a real Classique!

Edited September 20, 2010 by dmuchow

[roger3]

Short Answer: Yes.

Amplified answer: Recently purchased Classique from reputable seller who included push-in converter, (an MB product)but pen leaked until converter replaced with screw-in type. Voila! No more leaking! However, when I started topic about types of converters used for the 144 in the MB forum, the discussion was quite lively. Here is discussion Good Luck!

Edited September 20, 2010 by roger3

[dmuchow]

Thanks for that link, it seems to confirm that there are two types of Classique converters, one for the brass threaded sections and one for plastic threaded sections. The pen I just received has plastic threads, and my threaded converter will not fit, while the push in one seems snug.

 

I'll have to clean it up and watch it for leaks very closely.

[Dr Lopez]

Well, I also remember the discussion we had some months back about this. It seems to be a very usual problem when you buy an old 144 Clasique (with brassed threads) and the seller just throws in the box a modern MB push-in converter in the hope it should fit, but it does not. I had this problem myself and the most simple solution is to buy a MB converter for a 145 Chopin, which replaced the 144 some years back, and this will fix the problem.

[jar]

Yup, early 144s used a push in converter.

[roger3]

Thanks for that link, it seems to confirm that there are two types of Classique converters, one for the brass threaded sections and one for plastic threaded sections. The pen I just received has plastic threads, and my threaded converter will not fit, while the push in one seems snug.

 

I'll have to clean it up and watch it for leaks very closely.

Trust me, you won't have to watch that closely for leaks! If you use bright light or direct a flashlight beam into nib section, you will be able to see if threading is present which would, of course, secure the threaded converter. However, you've written that threaded converter doesn't fit making my suggestion a moot point.

[CS388]

Thanks for that link, it seems to confirm that there are two types of Classique converters, one for the brass threaded sections and one for plastic threaded sections. The pen I just received has plastic threads, and my threaded converter will not fit, while the push in one seems snug.

 

I'll have to clean it up and watch it for leaks very closely.

 

Hopefully there won't be any leaks. I believe the early 144s (new series, not the big old 144 piston fill) took a push in converter. The threaded converter was a later introduction.

Unless your local MB has any old stock (it's always worth asking), they probably only provide the threaded variety, now?

 

The push-in should work fine with your pen. If you do need a replacement, best bet is probably ebay - and I wouldn't pay more than circa £6. (I don't know the ebay article you mention, these articles can be hit and miss)

 

Are you sure that the plastic threads you mention are threads - could they be friction ridges?

 

Gold monotone nib and flat feed also date it to early 144. Pictures would help?

 

Nice pen. Enjoy.

 

 

 

Edited to be kinder to ebay.

Edited September 21, 2010 by CS388

[dmuchow]

This picture shows the plastic threads I mentioned, my other classique has the brass threads. Definitely not friction fit, just older montblanc construction. How old would this pen be with the flat feed? I picked this pen up from a zero feedback seller, so I got it for what I would consider a heck of a deal. Any idea the actual value of a early burgundy Classique? same as the 90's production ones?

 

 

Thanks for the help!

[CS388]

This picture shows the plastic threads I mentioned, my other classique has the brass threads. Definitely not friction fit, just older montblanc construction. How old would this pen be with the flat feed? I picked this pen up from a zero feedback seller, so I got it for what I would consider a heck of a deal. Any idea the actual value of a early burgundy Classique? same as the 90's production ones?

 

 

Thanks for the help!

 

I see. I thought you meant the threads inside which the converter would screw into.

 

Value? Buyers market, unpredictable. I've seen early 144s from £100 - £150. More, if a bidding war catches hold. Burgundy would add a premium to that.

Think they came out early 80s or late 70s. Other members may have more accurate dates.

[pajaro]

The 144 is genuine. I have a few of these I bought new around 1983. Plastic thread-into-barrel model uses push-in friction-hold converter. The new converter doesn't quite work with these--tried it--been there--got the T-shirt--other opinions notwithstanding.

 

I had to send one of these bordeaux 144s to Montblanc for service and it came back with a new red section (in lieu of the original black section). So that's an $84 idea. Use a hammer on the threads, and they'll replace it for you with red for the usual charge. The red (bordeaux) section does look nice, and will then have brass threads and take the newer threaded converter. The black sections do, however, let me change sections into black 144s to get different nibs into the color of the day. The only Montblancs I really like are the 144s.