What is a Pelikan 12C-500 HEF nib?

[southpaw]

I'm looking at a M250 that has the following markings on it:

"12C-500" and "HEF". Can anyone tell me what this means? Thanks.

[John]

The "12C - 500" means it's 12 carat, or 50%, gold.

 

"EF" will be extra-fine

 

I'm stumped on the H

[wimg]

Hi Southpaw, John,

 

The "H" in HEF is probably a K, which stands for "Kugel" or ball. So in that case the nib is an extra fine ball point nib.

 

If it really is an "H", it means "Hart", or a manifold nib. In that case you have an accountant's EF nib.

 

It is sometimes very difficult to make out whether it is an H or a K in the script they use on the Pels.

 

HTH, kind regards, Wim

[southpaw]

I've got a photo of the nib - it's clearly an "H". What on earth is an accountant's nib? Second, how do you post pics? Thanks for the info John and Wimg.

[wimg]

Hi Southpaw,

 

An accountant's nib is a very stiff or manifold nib, one that you can use to create carbon copies with. So no flexibility whatsover, as you'll have to press fairly hard to create those carbon copies in the first place.

 

In order to post pics, you have to first put them on a server on the internet somewhere, a photo hosting service or provider, like photobucket.com. You'll have to make a mental note of the complete address or url, or copy it to the clipboard, next press the img button here above the message area, and type or copy the url into the box you get displayed. Don't forget to check you don't type the http:// bit twice, as that is there already.

 

If you want to try this out, just send me the pic by email (fp at kybr dot net) and I'll put it on one of my own servers and provide you with the link, no problem.

 

HTH, kind regards, Wim

[Dr. Dennis Stouffer]

H refers to Hard, or a stiff nib. This is not a guess. Long before Pelikan had a corporate presence in the US, in the early 1970s, I imported Pelikans in California, selling them at a few stores in L.A. (Fountain Pens Shop, Dahlstroms, the Pen Shop in Culver City). I purchased a number of HF and HEF nibs. Unfortunately, the HEF, which were mostly destined for Japan, were usually scratchy. If not previously discussed, it may be of interest to know that Koh-I-Noor was owned by Gunther Wagner, but of course, Koh-I-Noor was the importer of Mont Blanc, a relationship begun prior to the Wagner purchase of Koh-I-Noor. Wagner did not want Pelikan represented by the MB importer, so local distributors were allowed to import directly. I knew of only one importer besides myself (dba Frequency International Group, primairly an importer of Hella energency vehicle warning devices), an artists supply house in the Long Island area. I learned this when I visited Hanover and toured a production facility outside town.

[TETRIS]

Here is a picture of the pen.

This M250 was made for Japan and other countries in Asia.

It's a very nice nib with a fine line.

Will try to make a writing sample later.

The cap top have no Pelikan logo.

Sorry for the bad photos, ISO was high and only noticed after photos were made!

 

Best,

 

Victor

Edited August 4, 2011 by TETRIS

[Readymade]

Neat! Didn't know such nibs existed

[eric47]

H refers to Hard, or a stiff nib. This is not a guess. Long before Pelikan had a corporate presence in the US, in the early 1970s, I imported Pelikans in California, selling them at a few stores in L.A. (Fountain Pens Shop, Dahlstroms, the Pen Shop in Culver City). I purchased a number of HF and HEF nibs. Unfortunately, the HEF, which were destined for Japan, were usually scratchy.

 

I own that 12C HEF nib which was taken off a Japanese market M150, which is bigger than a Western M150. Actually is more lime a no frills M200, I was told it's marketed as a school pen.

 

Pelikan Germany apparently sent them to my local distributor by mistake and some local shops agreed to buy the lot and divided them up. I was looking a gold nib for a pen and my local store decided to sell me the 12C HEF after I tried it.

 

Mine is not hard at all. It actually fairly springy, and my sample is nice and quite smooth. It's the best Pelikan EF I've ever tried let alone owned. Every other EF Pelikan I've ever tried has been disappointing, scratchy actually. My is also monotone unlike the photos above.

Edited August 6, 2011 by eric47

[pathobby]

If you are lucky enough to find a 'vintage' Pelikan accountant's nib get it!

 

I have a green and black mark 10 with a white gold 'F' accountant's nib. It writes fairly broad for an 'F' nib but it is indestructable and a pleasure to write with. It is my all time favourite Pelikan!

 

PH

[jaymac]

Along these lines, I have a 140 with a DEF sticker. So, what would the D stand for? And no, not scratchy at all. A real dream nib.

[mori45]

Along these lines, I have a 140 with a DEF sticker. So, what would the D stand for? And no, not scratchy at all. A real dream nib.

 

Same thing actually, just in German. DEF is "Durch Extra Fein".

[jaymac]

Thanks mori45.