Mb 139 Questions

[kh.tan]

Hello

 

This is my first post on FPN so please be gentle with me.

 

I am fascinated by the 139 and have a few questions regarding this pen:

 

1. What was the production period for the all celluloid version?

 

2. What were the respective production periods for the long and short ink windows?

 

3. What were the respective periods when steel, palladium and 14K gold nibs were used?

 

3A.. Should an originalpalladium nib have a "gold" or "silver" appearance?

 

4. What is the difference between L139 and L139G?

 

5. Is the nib size always engraved on the ends of all 139s?

 

5A. Does the barrel indicate the type of nib originally fitted on that particular pen?

 

6. What about the series of letters and numbers engraved close to the end of the barrel? Are they always present and what do they mean?

 

7. Are 139s generally hardy and can be used daily? I am a bit concerned about the wear on the piston mechanism and cork due to daily use?

 

8. What does the collecting community consider to be the "Grail" combination of features in a 139 -- nib type, ink window, all celluloid etc.?

 

If these questions have been answered previously or there is an article or write up about the 139, I would be grateful if a fellow member can point me in that direction.

 

Thanks very much, and this is a great forum!

 

Sincerely,

kh.tan

[penparadise]

Hi kh.tan,

 

I'll try to answer your questions as best I can.

 

1. What was the production period for the all celluloid version? — About 1947 (but could be earlier) to 1952.

 

2. What were the respective production periods for the long and short ink windows? — Long ink window until 1943.

 

3. What were the respective periods when steel, palladium and 14K gold nibs were used? — Gold nibs until about 1941, palladium and steel nibs from about 1942 until 1944/45 and gold nibs again after 1947.

 

3A.. Should an original palladium nib have a "gold" or "silver" appearance? — All 139's nibs appeared bicolor with gold in the middle and on the outer sides. So from the first view you couldn't see a difference between a gold nib, a palladium or steel nib. But due to some use and polishing often the gold is worn off from the palladium and steel nibs.

 

4. What is the difference between L139 and L139G? — After WW2 the first 139s with a gold nib got the additional imprint "G".

 

5. Is the nib size always engraved on the ends of all 139s? — No, but at least 9 of 10 should have the nib size engraved.

 

5A. Does the barrel indicate the type of nib originally fitted on that particular pen? — Up to the past WW2 production there is no marks on the pen whether the original nib was a gold one or not.

 

6. What about the series of letters and numbers engraved close to the end of the barrel? Are they always present and what do they mean? — They were only on pre WW2 pens and up to 1944 and it is the patent number for the telecope piston. (D.R.P. = Deutsches Reich Patent)

 

7. Are 139s generally hardy and can be used daily? I am a bit concerned about the wear on the piston mechanism and cork due to daily use? — I'd say yes.

 

8. What does the collecting community consider to be the "Grail" combination of features in a 139 -- nib type, ink window, all celluloid etc.? — I think one of the rarest 139s is a pen with the imprint "MONTBLANC ^ CHEF D'OEUVRÉ" and an 18c nib made for the French market during 1939/1940. Because of the early production this pen has to have a long ink window and hard rubber ends.

 

But what about my Grail pen, a 139PL with white gold trim and an 18c nib?

http://s7.directupload.net/images/101017/temp/ajd5qdhd.jpg

I use this pen as a daily writer in exchange with my Black Widow.

 

Best regards,

Axel

 

edited to add "and up to 1944" in no.6

Edited October 18, 2010 by penparadise

[mr goldfink]

Axel, that is a very didactic and fulsome reply that you have provided for our newbie friend.

 

But what of the 139PL? I'm assuming it is for real, made for the French market ? What a blinding pen....!!!

[meiers]

Thank you Axel for all the care you invested into your post.

 

Matt

[karmakoda]

Thank You kh.tan, for asking and receiving the best answer we could possibly get.

Thank You Axel. The 139PL, well, the search for the Grail is over. You've got it.

Cheers!

[sunnerd]

6. What about the series of letters and numbers engraved close to the end of the barrel? Are they always present and what do they mean? — They were only on pre WW2 pens and it is the patent number for the telecope piston. (D.R.P. = Deutsches Reich Patent)

 

7. Are 139s generally hardy and can be used daily? I am a bit concerned about the wear on the piston mechanism and cork due to daily use? — I'd say yes.

 

Hi Axel, many thanks for posting these gems of insights -

regarding #6, can you please clarify if the D.R.P. markings should also appear on WW2 era 139s?

 

As for 7, I would say yes, but don't post the pen, you may crack the cap lip.

 

Thanks Kai

[kh.tan]

Thank you Axel, and everyone, for your replies and kind reception.

 

I saw the chart that was prepared by a member which sets out the various characteristics of the 149 throughout the various periods. It would be great if someone could prepare a similar chart for the 139. I am sure it would be a great reference for everyone.

 

I am looking forward to participating and sharing my experience with everyone here in FPN.

 

Have a good week, everyone!

 

Cheers

kh.tan

[kh.tan]

And Axel, that is indeed a gorgeous pen!

 

kh.tan

[penparadise]

I think I have to enlighten you guys about my 139PL:

 

It's not made by Montblanc.

It has an 18c 139 nib. It has a 139 telecope piston and it has a 149 rubber feed. But

clip and cap bands are 14c solid white gold and the middle ring has no engravings.

This pen was made by Torelli.

 

[mr goldfink]

A case of too good to be true... I had assumed you had found a prototype in a flea Market in Hamburg!

It's strange that Montblanc made a pl version all the way up to the 138 but stopped there. Perhaps they saw the 139 as being a classic not to be played around with in terms of the classic black colour scheme? Who knows...

[penparadise]

A case of too good to be true... I had assumed you had found a prototype in a flea Market in Hamburg!

It's strange that Montblanc made a pl version all the way up to the 138 but stopped there. Perhaps they saw the 139 as being a classic not to be played around with in terms of the classic black colour scheme? Who knows...

Not quite right. There were no PLs in the 13X Meisterstück line with a piston filling mechanism, but there have been the push-knob fillers 122PL, 124PL, 126PL and 128PL (but no 129PL).

[mr goldfink]

So I have seen a 128pl ! But why no 129pl? I guess noone really knows the answer...

Edited October 18, 2010 by mr goldfink