Help with identify the 18k bi-tone nib for a MB 149

[fgozman]

Hello,

 

I have attached an image with a MB 149 18K bi-tone nib  another image with the feed (split-ebonite). The nib has a dot sign in the lower right near the 750 mark. See the attached image.

Could someone identify the nib and tell me if the sign/dot on the nib is normal and tell me what is the purpose of that sign?

Thank you for your time!

 

Best regards,

Florian

[zaddick]

The nib looks fine. That could be an issue with the photo or a dent in the nib. That's not a factory mark.

[fgozman]

@zaddick Thanks for the answer!

I thought the same until I saw the thread:

where you can see in both pictures the same dent on the nib (see n special the picture where are two nibs). I is the same side of the nib. Maybe in that period i.e. '91 I guess MB had nibs like these.

It is very strange indeed because the owner say that was so when was bought new. Could be a "standard" defect from the factory?

Thanks!

[zizu]

Hello, I have purchased a couple of months ago an used MB 149 with the same nib and feed like yours, mine also has a dent on the nib, but on the left side.

[zaddick]

Those nibs are just dented in my opinion. It's not a standard factory mark. The other thread photo looks like playing loss. 

 It's not impossible something left the factory like that but not standard.

[Barry Gabay]

Hello Florian,   

 

Nice pen.  Your nib could have been  slightly damaged when it was handled with a tool. Your 149 is a marriage of different generations. The split-ebonite feed was used with  two-tone 14C nibs from 1981-1984 and two-tone 14K nibs from 1985-1990/91. The two-tone 18K nib appeared in 1992, as did the first-generation plastic feed. When new, your nib was in a 149 barrel  with a plastic feed and brass piston threads. 

 

So your older feed was installed in a newer pen or a newer nib was put into an older pen.  Plastic v brass piston threads will determine which is the case. That is not a problem at all. Many people switch around nibs on their fountain pens. I suspect someone gripped the nib's shank too forcefully with pliers, causing the dent. If it is any consolation, one of my most reliable 149 nibs is a two-tone 14K which has a larger dent in the same location as your nib's dent. The dent was present when I bought the pen second hand  years ago. The dent has no impact on its superb writing. 

 

Enjoy your 149.

Stay healthy, 

Barry 

[fgozman]

Hi Barry,

Yes, I think so also that the nib was put into the old version of the pen and maybe then was damaged a little bit. Actually the pen is not my property yet. I have the pictures from its owner who told me that he bought it new from the factory from Germany and never used but because the nib has this dent on it I'm not sure that the owner told me the complete story about. Because of that I'm undecided whether  to buy it or not. Unfortunately I cannot see it in my hands in order to see it better. I have several pictures about and the body looks also very good and also the cap. It has plastic piston threads. Another problem with the owner is that he does not have the original box so I'm even more suspicious. It is also strange that you have a new pen and the box not!?

 

Thank you for your support!

 

Best regards,

Florian

 

[Barry Gabay]

Hello Florian,   

 

Your hesitation about the present owner not being forthcoming is wise. May I repeat what you said and what many Montblanc 149 fans will confirm? That 149 did NOT leave the factory new with its present components.  The current nib and feed were of different generations. There are some variations of the 149 from 1983-84 and 1990-91 which marry different eras of 149 components.  The pen you have written about & have provided photos of is not one of those. 

 

Good luck,

Best wishes,

Barry