1950's M B 149 Sumgai & Some Questions

[ThomasB]

I purchased a large lot of items from a seller on ebay last week. It included a lot of misc items like cartridges, leads, ink bottles, etc. It also contained a few fountain pens. Amongst those, a very obvious shape stood out. I don't know a lot about Montblanc pens, but I do have a modern 149 and know what one looks like. I saw the tarnished small bands on the cap and thought silver and then thought oh boy. Long story short, I purchased the lot for ~$230 including shipping. When I received the items yesterday, I knew I had something special. Of the other pens, there value is more than enough to make back the $230 I paid for the lot. So, I in effect got a 1950s MB 149 for $0. I believe this to be a "Sumgai" purchase. On top of that, it has an Oblique Broad nib that is buttery smooth with a bit of flex

 

Again, I don't know a lot about Montblanc pens, so now for my questions (pictures attached--sorry for the poor quality)

1. Is it all original?

2. There are no imprints of "Made in Germany" on the cap, nor "Germany" on the back of the cap band. The condition of the pen surface is excellent so I don't think the cap imprint faded. And the band shows no plating loss on the backside so I don't think it could have faded either. Is this OK?

3. Approximate date of manufacture? It has what appears to be the polymer(?) piston end and not the cork. The end knob has 149, but no the nib size nor does it appear to have faded. And it has the long ink window

4. Lastly, anything I need to know about using the telescoping fill mechanism? I notice sometimes on the up swing, it disengages and the turning knob starts to screw back in place. I notice that as long as I keep some upward pressure on the turning know while I am turning it, all is well

 

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j245/tbickiii/IMG_0504_zps3vtpnfeh.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j245/tbickiii/IMG_0505_zpsu1u0r3in.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j245/tbickiii/IMG_0506_zpsbr4x7qbt.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j245/tbickiii/IMG_0507_zpsjycq4nfk.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j245/tbickiii/IMG_0509_zpsgut8fmbz.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j245/tbickiii/IMG_0510_zpsk3lngd4t.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j245/tbickiii/IMG_0508_zpsekwkilcm.jpg

[KJY]

What a great "purchase. Sorry can't help you with your questions, but you are so Lucky to have this catch.

[Doug1426]

Congratulations....couldn't happen to a nicer guy.and a great FPNer.

[Ed44]

Wow! What an amazing find, and that nib......, well, I'm speechless. Please post a photo of a writing sample. Does it have a cork piston seal? It looks like all it needs is a good cleaning and you're good to go.

[fountainbel]

Great find ,fully original from the late fifties, congratulations !

Obtaining a full piston return stroke one has to "back-up" the piston against the section.

Don't be afraid to do so, the system is very well made

The second retracting stage of the telescopic filler - activating the larger leadscrew movement - requires a higher torque , so when not backing up, only the first stage will occur

Internally in the filling knob is a "slip coupling" and by backing up against the section at the end of the down stroke one creates the necessary axial friction on the slip coupling allowing a full return stroke.

The sketch below show the details.

Enjoy this technically en aesthetically Masterpiece, most probably featuring a full flex nib !

Francis

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h89/fountainbel/Repaired%20Vintage%20fountain%20pens/d59e8f36-772b-48f3-b395-4e02a442755a.jpg

[ThomasB]

Wow! What an amazing find, and that nib......, well, I'm speechless. Please post a photo of a writing sample. Does it have a cork piston seal? It looks like all it needs is a good cleaning and you're good to go.

Wow is right--it left me speechless as well...It does not have the cork seal...It has a polymer(?) seal. I use the (?) because my shallow research has come up with a few different materials that it could be.

[ThomasB]

WOW...thanks for the instructions and drawing...makes perfect sense now

 

Great find ,fully original from the late fifties, congratulations !

Obtaining a full piston return stroke one has to "back-up" the piston against the section.

Don't be afraid to do so, the system is very well made

The second retracting stage of the telescopic filler - activating the larger leadscrew movement - requires a higher torque , so when not backing up, only the first stage will occur

Internally in the filling knob is a "slip coupling" and by backing up against the section at the end of the down stroke one creates the necessary axial friction on the slip coupling allowing a full return stroke.

The sketch below show the details.

Enjoy this technically en aesthetically Masterpiece, most probably featuring a full flex nib !

Francis

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h89/fountainbel/Repaired%20Vintage%20fountain%20pens/d59e8f36-772b-48f3-b395-4e02a442755a.jpg

[zaddick]

 

1. Is it all original?

2. There are no imprints of "Made in Germany" on the cap, nor "Germany" on the back of the cap band. The condition of the pen surface is excellent so I don't think the cap imprint faded. And the band shows no plating loss on the backside so I don't think it could have faded either. Is this OK?

3. Approximate date of manufacture? It has what appears to be the polymer(?) piston end and not the cork. The end knob has 149, but no the nib size nor does it appear to have faded. And it has the long ink window

4. Lastly, anything I need to know about using the telescoping fill mechanism? I notice sometimes on the up swing, it disengages and the turning knob starts to screw back in place. I notice that as long as I keep some upward pressure on the turning know while I am turning it, all is well

 

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j245/tbickiii/IMG_0504_zps3vtpnfeh.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j245/tbickiii/IMG_0505_zpsu1u0r3in.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j245/tbickiii/IMG_0506_zpsbr4x7qbt.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j245/tbickiii/IMG_0507_zpsjycq4nfk.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j245/tbickiii/IMG_0509_zpsgut8fmbz.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j245/tbickiii/IMG_0510_zpsk3lngd4t.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j245/tbickiii/IMG_0508_zpsekwkilcm.jpg

 

It looks all original, probably '57 or '58. The fact is has the polymer, the double groove, is missing the nib size imprint all points to those years. Earlier would have had the skislope feed and the nib.

 

Does the clip have an "XX" underneath. If so, the clip is original too.

 

i can't tell if the band says Masterpiece. If not, there would not be the made in Germany imprint on the body.

 

The ink window looks great. It looks like this pen was barely used!

 

Francis is the master of the piston mechanism. if you need a picture of one or the polymer seal, let me know and I can post one.

 

Awesome find. Super jealous!

[farmdogfan]

Wow, congratulations! one of the truly great pens (in my opinion), and it seems to be in excellent shape.

[lunarfp]

Congrats, that's a remarkable find! Have fun writing with it. The nibs on these pens are outstanding.

[FredRydr]

Sumgai!! I'll call that an understatement!

 

Fred

Edited February 11, 2016 by FredRydr

[jmccarty3]

This reminds me of the time I bought a box of "junk" pens from a jeweler from Mississippi at a jewelry show. I opened it and found a mint condition turquoise Patrician.

 

Congratulations!

[ThomasB]

Finally inked it up and wrote with it...What a thrill...Thanks for all the notes and info...will be enjoying this one for a long time

[georges zaslavsky]

congrats on a fantastic find enjoy your pen