149 Repair/Advice request

[swervo]

Hope all is well,

 

This is my first post here so I do apologise if this isn’t the first thread with this issue !

(For reference I am in the UK, midlands)

 

This weekend I was fortunate enough to come into possession of a family

member’s 149 with the advice “it doesn’t fill” I’m not sure on the date, can attach photos later on to help identify. 
 

Upon further inspection, (this is my first foray into the world of MB, and by extension fountain pens as a whole so I apologise for any bodged terminology) it appears that the piston rod has sheared off inside, indicating that the end cap was turned too far at some point in its life. 
 

My question to you all is how best to proceed. I would prefer to not send it back to MB, as I am reading they may replace some parts other than the offending and I would like to keep the pen as ‘original’ as possible if so. However, it is certain I am not experienced enough to carry out a repair myself (as well as I’d never forgive myself if I caused irreparable damage). Could anyone recommend any private repairs? Or even point me vaguely in the right direction. Official MB repair isn’t off the cards, just would like to avoid in the interest of preservation. 
 

Any other information that’s required just ask and I’ll happily oblige. 
 

I thank you all in advance for your time, and any advice that may follow. 
 

All the best,

 

Chris.  

[Karmachanic]

Member Eric Wilson may be able to help. 

[CS388]

Congratulations. And welcome to the 149 club.

Great pens!

 

Yes, I'd, also suggest Eric, in the UK.

I've never used him personally, but have seen much of his work on these pages.

It's a straightforward fix, so you should have your 149 up and running, in no time!

 

Good luck

[PENRob]

For someone with the basic knowledge of MB assembling this is a piece of cake... depending on your location you need to find such someone around you, I am in Belgium or MB official store itself, they handle clear different level maintenance rates !

[Fermata]

May I compliment the OP on an extremely civil and courteous enquiry, welcome to fpn.

 

The standard advice is to use the Montblanc Level One Service but I understand your reasons for looking for an alternative repair source.

 

Eric Wilson has done a number of pens for me and I know that he has replaced MB piston rods, he is recommended.

 

May I suggest that you are quite specific in your instructions to Eric, you may, for example want the nib to be smoothed (or left alone) or have the pen polished to an as new state (or left as it is to show its age).

 

From my own experience,  take care when you trust your pen to Royal Mail, I have sent pens to repairers in what I thought was appropriate packaging and the pen has arrived snapped in two pieces.  A strong container with packing material or using 1 inch plastic conduit should work.

 

Best of luck and perhaps you can come back and let us know the outcome.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Karmachanic]

1 hour ago, Fermata said:

  A strong container

 

Hard glasses (spectacles) cases work for me.

[Fermata]

1 hour ago, Karmachanic said:

 

Hard glasses (spectacles) cases work for me.

 

There are a few things that work, old VHS boxes, pipe insulation, plastic pipe in addition to the purpose made plastic boxes.

[Dione]

I might have asked if it's definitely old enough to have any parts such as a ski slope feed that need to be specially kept before dismissing a Montblanc service level 1 out of hand. Please just bear in mind that Montblanc have every part that might possibly be needed on disassembly and their charge would be about GBP65 For that you receive back a pen that looks like new

[Fermata]

8 minutes ago, Dione said:

I might have asked if it's definitely old enough to have any parts such as a ski slope feed that need to be specially kept before dismissing a Montblanc service level 1 out of hand. Please just bear in mind that Montblanc have every part that might possibly be needed on disassembly and their charge would be about GBP65 For that you receive back a pen that looks like new

 

There is also the 12 month warranty for any MB service work to be considered. I am out of touch with the cost of the service but I would not be surprised if it hadn't increased from £65, everything else seems to have gine up in price.

[swervo]

Hello all!

 

Just wanted to say thanks for your all your responses! Nice to see such an active community welcome somebody new. I am planning to send a message to Eric, as well as popping into my local jewellers when back home on Monday to get an idea on service pricing. In the meantime I have some photos of the pen for the sake of transparency (apologies they are only mobile; I didn’t bring a camera with me away this weekend.) 

 

Appears the serial number on the cap is ‘XD1734445’ not sure how much information can be gleaned off of this, but it is there for reference.  
 

Have attached an imgur album for your poring, anything else I can provide let me know. 
 

Thanks again for your time and knowledge. 
 

Chris. 
 

149 - Imgur

[Dione]

Serial numbers started in 1991 or 92 I believe but in any case it's a modern pen.

[bunnspecial]

I won't send ebonite feed pens to Montblanc, but I'd have no reservations about letting them take care of this one considering that it already has a plastic feed.

[swervo]

Hello all, 

Just wanted to say thanks again for all your help and information over the weekend. Went into my local jewelers today, was quoted £68 all in initially for a level 1 service, so I went through with it, just hoping there's no added cost the other side in the event there is more at fault with the pen! Although they did say it could take up until the end of January... Either way, will keep this thread updated as and when developments make themselves known.

All the best.

[swervo]

Hello all, I hope you are well. Happy to say I went to pick this up from the jewellers today; seems brand new ! Will post more photos later in PM. Just wanted to say thanks for all the help. 

(in other news, I managed to find an MB ballpoint in a questionable state in a charity shop, will make a separate post for identification)

 

Thanks as always,

 

Chris.