Montblanc Meisterstuck Ballpoint Pen Models, Sizes

[MYU]

I'm a little perplexed about the size of Montblanc pens. I visited the Montblanc site and while all the models are represented, when visiting the "all details" page I noticed there's nothing stated about the size and thickness of their pens. Completely useless. I know, always better to visit a boutique, but still...

 

I recently came into the possession of my first Montblanc Meisterstuck ballpoint pen (I've got mostly fountain pens and one pencil). It's your classic black torpedo shaped twist ballpoint pen with gold furniture. I have no idea if this is a 146, 149, Classique, Le Grand, etc. It's definitely not from the 16x series, because the cap band doesn't match. This pen is 14.6cm in length (without tip extended). It has a serial number and "Germany" on the clip ring. There is no "PIX" on the gold band. Nothing imprinted on the underside of the clip.

 

Photos:

Anyone here knows which model Meisterstuck pen this is? Thanks!

[Chrissy]

Montblanc currently has Meisterstück Classique sized and Midsize BP's. You can instantly see the difference when you look at the cap band configuration. The Classique sized BP has a band on the cap edge while the Midsize has a resin cap edge.

 

Your pen is a Le Grand size BP. It has now been replaced by the Midsize BP, but I've never seen two next to each other so don't know if they are exactly the same size.

[Matlock]

Montblanc currently has Meisterstück Classique sized and Midsize BP's. You can instantly see the difference when you look at the cap band configuration. The Classique sized BP has a band on the cap edge while the Midsize has a resin cap edge.

 

Your pen is a Le Grand size BP. It has now been replaced by the Midsize BP, but I've never seen two next to each other so don't know if they are exactly the same size.

 

Montblanc still use the terms Le Grand and Classique in their lists. As Chrissy says, yours is a Le Grand (or 161).

[MYU]

Thanks Chrissy, Matlock. Much appreciated! I didn't know the Le Grand is a model 161. I thought there was just 164 and 166. But isn't it a bit peculiar that they don't indicate pen dimensions on the Montblanc site?

 

I have to say, it's a very nice writing instrument. The weight and rotation resistance are excellent. I don't own a Le Grand fountain pen, but I'm tempted to check one out.

[Matlock]

Thanks Chrissy, Matlock. Much appreciated! I didn't know the Le Grand is a model 161. I thought there was just 164 and 166. But isn't it a bit peculiar that they don't indicate pen dimensions on the Montblanc site?

 

I have to say, it's a very nice writing instrument. The weight and rotation resistance are excellent. I don't own a Le Grand fountain pen, but I'm tempted to check one out.

 

Montblanc's numbering is a little confusing. The ballpoints are 161 for Le Grand and 164 for Classique. A 166 is a Le Grand document Marker. Roller Balls are 162 for Le Grand and 163 for Classique. Pencils are 167 for Le Grand and 165 for Classique. A 169 is a sketch Pencil. I can only assume that someone at MB had a number of pieces of paper with numbers on them, threw them in the air and where they landed, that is what they apportioned the writing instrument to .

[Chrissy]

 

Montblanc's numbering is a little confusing. The ballpoints are 161 for Le Grand and 164 for Classique. A 166 is a Le Grand document Marker. Roller Balls are 162 for Le Grand and 163 for Classique. Pencils are 167 for Le Grand and 165 for Classique. A 169 is a sketch Pencil. I can only assume that someone at MB had a number of pieces of paper with numbers on them, threw them in the air and where they landed, that is what they apportioned the writing instrument to .

 

That sounds about right

[Inked]

Maybe this will help.....

 

 

 

Inked

[soapytwist]

Back in the day, there was only one size of ballpoint and pencil regardless of fountain pen size (the 164 and 165) and then the other model numbers have been assigned after those.

 

Note on this pricelist from 1987 the model numbers are actually four-figure ones in order to differentiate finishes: 0 for black, 1 for burgundy, 4 for gold plated, 6 for silver and 7 for gold

[NoType]

20 hours ago, Inked said:

Maybe this will help.....

 

 

 

Inked

@Inked This is very useful!  Thank you for sharing the information, the details of which I was not aware as I had not viewed it on the website,

[NoType]

10 hours ago, soapytwist said:

Back in the day, there was only one size of ballpoint and pencil regardless of fountain pen size (the 164 and 165) and then the other model numbers have been assigned after those.

 

Note on this pricelist from 1987 the model numbers are actually four-figure ones in order to differentiate finishes: 0 for black, 1 for burgundy, 4 for gold plated, 6 for silver and 7 for gold

@soapytwist What a marvellous piece of data!  Many, many thanks for providing this 1987 pricelist!  Quite fascinating to see what was available then, and how finishes were described.

[soapytwist]

@NoType There used to be a pinned post to all the MB catalogues but not sure where it is now.

 

Here's the 1987-88 UK brochure:

 

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/4xhzfssh6lqbzwqwyak5h/MB-1987-88.pdf?rlkey=w0e6bldpsv7bqk9rw6sir8p5l&dl=0

 

And here's the pricelist to go with it:

 

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/bgcis0vrz0z6yaxi9jfab/MB-1987-Pricelist.pdf?rlkey=n73trugh7625mnjezny5vht3w&dl=0

[RedPie]

Thank you for those links, @soapytwist!