MB 121 Clip Alignment

[rennfahrer]

Hello all: I just received a 121 with a curious issue: the clip is not aligned with the “peak” on the cap band. I have seen several examples of both the No. 14 and 121 with this issue but most are aligned with the raised “peak.” Any thoughts? I have also noticed that many examples have the cap band engraving that is not aligned to the peaks. Mine is - meaning “Germany” and “Montblanc” are aligned with the peaks and “121” with a “valley.”

 

Otherwise, a fantastic daily piston and a nice accompaniment to my “Classic” 221P which was my second MB fountain pen in the late 1980s.

 

Thanks.

Patrick

[niksch]

It appears to me that the recess the clip fits into on the top of the cap is not in alignment with the "peak" of the cap ring.  It also looks like the clip is straight and proper, and not bent like I see on other pens.  I don't think there is a remedy to this situation. 

[rennfahrer]

Thanks @niksch. You are right - for some reason the notch that the clip sits in is cut off center from the “peak.” Do you think this was an anomaly from the factory or maybe things were not always precise throughout the ‘70s even. Most of them I see are aligned - you think the part would be molded with the cuts for the notch and cap band. Just curious. It is a lovely pen and I just started getting interested in the 60s and 70s models after all my years focused on 30s-50s models.

 

Thanks again.

[niksch]

I'm not informed on the MB manufacturing processes from the 121 timeframe, but, yes, I would think that the alignment of the clip/clip recess and cap ring "peak" would be a quality control point of emphasis.  

 

I don't have much OCD, but this misalignment might bother me some.

 

Edited to add.  I just did a quick search on eBay for 121 parts.  There are caps there with both aligned and mis-aligned clips.

 

 

[rennfahrer]

Thanks again @niksch. I appreciate your many contributions to this forum.