Montblanc 149 - Dating Question

[MSA]

Experts:

 

I have a 149 which I purchased a few years ago. It is in great condition - but with the following attributes:

 

1. Nib is 18K, appears Tri-color

2. Feed is Plastic and from the 90's

3. Plastic threads on the filler

4. No number or PIX on the clip

5. The pen was serviced at a Montblanc agent (La Maison du Stylo) in France before it came to me.

 

Any ideas on its vintage ? 1980's ?

 

Thank you

[aurore]

Hello, roughly 1985-87. The nib is post 1982 (18K, not 18C), 2 pieces barrel (post 1985), the clip is NOT late 80s but earlier (hence not W. Germany but Germany). But the feed was replaced in last 25 years.

Edited July 29, 2020 by aurore

[FredRydr]

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/170282-dating-montblanc-149s/page-30

[zaddick]

The pen body is from about 1985 to 1991. The clip is mid 1980s before they moved to W. GERMANY and a serial number. Nib is likely mid 1980s to given plating wear. The feed is post about 1995 or so so I suppose it was replaced as part of a service from the more likely split ebonite that would fit the rest of the pen. So I'll say most of the pen is mid 1980s.

 

the nib is what i would call 2-tone and also mid 1980s.

[MSA]

Thank you Gentlemen.

[Barry Gabay]

The nib is a two-tone 18K, made only between 1992-95. The fading pattern clearly indicates two-tone, rather than three-tone. The feed is second-generation plastic feed, first made in 1995, appearing on the Dumas ltd ed and standard 149s at the same time. Your two-piece barrel was made between 1983-90/91. Dating is pretty clear because of its plastic threads.

 

I agree with others that components of different eras went into the assembly of this pen in its present state.

 

The nib looks like a very nice one. If the pen performs well, I believe the parts from several eras are immaterial.

Edited August 3, 2020 by Barry Gabay

[MSA]

Thank you ....your comments help in dating the pen. It works and looks just fine.

[aurore]

The nib is a two-tone 18K, made only between 1992-95. The fading pattern clearly indicates two-tone, rather than three-tone. The feed is second-generation plastic feed, first made in 1995, appearing on the Dumas ltd ed and standard 149s at the same time. Your two-piece barrel was made between 1983-90/91. Dating is pretty clear because of its plastic threads.

 

I agree with others that components of different eras went into the assembly of this pen in its present state.

 

The nib looks like a very nice one. If the pen performs well, I believe the parts from several eras are immaterial.

 

Barry, I am almost sure I read in some of your great articles French market pens used to be 18c till 1982. Couldn't a 18K nib be a French market nib pre-1992 (after 1982)?

Edited August 6, 2020 by aurore

[jann3]

Sorry for reviving this old thread, but I think my question would fit here:

 

I just bought a vintage MB 149, which came in the box seen below. I'm wondering if it could be the original box or just a random one?

 

The inner lining has the Montblanc logo and the text “THE ART OF WRITING”. The cover has the Montblanc logo and the bottom has text “Gift Box made in Holland”. 

The pen has a two-tone 18K nib, so it is probably from the 1990’s. Could the box be the original one from the same era? I think the MB 149 boxes are much larger nowadays, but how was it back in the 1990’s?
 

[zaddick]

These pens came in those boxes in maybe the late 1980s to early 1990s. This was before the moved tot he larger box with the ink bottle included. this hard shell box was used for more than just the 149. Over the years pens ad boxes get mixed together. It originally would have  had a colorful cardboard outer box and some paperwork too.

[jann3]

9 hours ago, zaddick said:

These pens came in those boxes in maybe the late 1980s to early 1990s. This was before the moved tot he larger box with the ink bottle included. this hard shell box was used for more than just the 149. Over the years pens ad boxes get mixed together. It originally would have  had a colorful cardboard outer box and some paperwork too.

Thanks for the useful information. It is true that the pens and boxes might get mixed over the years. However, it is nice to know that both are from the same era and belong together in that sense.

[niksch]

Many times when I sell a MB pen, or I return a pen that I repaired, I'll put it in a MB box just for the added protection.  It's pretty easy to mix up pen and box vintages.