RARE TRANSITIONAL W-GERMANY Montblanc Meisterstuck 146 Fountain Pen B nib MINT
This is a beautiful transitional Montblanc Meisterstuck 146 fountain pen, with its original W. GERMANY sticker, box, outer box and booklet. It is transitional because it bridges the W. GERMANY period (mid 1980s to 1989) and the 1990s introduction of new 146 features (bicolour 14K nib, striped ink window).
The clip ring engravings are fascinating - read on.... From the late 1980s until 1990, Montblanc made pens which were engraved with W. GERMANY on the clip ring.
They also introduced their first serial numbers around 1990 - early version had 6 digits (rather than 7). In that time, it is clear that Montblanc over-engraved the W. GERMANY" with "GERMANY and engraved over the older serial number with a newer one.
They are absolutely both genuine Montblanc engravings - I have never seen this on a Montblanc before - were they were trying to cover that W. Or was it a manufacturing error? Whatever it is, it is exceptionally rare - perhaps even a pen which should not exist. So whilst the double-engraving looks rather chaotic in the photos, they are legible and when you get your eye in, you can see they are both authentic and legible. The fonts are both recognisably Montblanc, and done with the typical laser-sharp finish. I believe I have been able to make out the serial number: old one appears to be DB117051. The new one appears to be DBL054437. It is glossy and clean all over. The nib, feed etc are spotless. This pen has the black striped ink chamber, the new plastic feed (replacing the ebonite), the cap band with.146" stamped on it, and the bicolour 14K nib - all of which must have JUST been introduced as they are contemporaneous with the "W. GERMANY markings being phased out - a real transitional pen.
On top of it all, this 146 has a relatively rare Broad nib, bicolour gold. The as-new sticker on the pen's barrel reads B W. I have not dipped it to test it, though the temptation is strong...This all makes this transitional 146 fountain pen very special. Additionally, it comes with its original box, outer box and booklet which could not be filled out completely as the DBL number is only decipherable under a lot of magnification! I have checked that the pen is genuine by illuminating the precious resin - it glows red if genuine, blue or grey if fake. This is a beautiful red-glowing pen (see photos). Finally, the pen is listed as "USED", not brand new, as it has been opened and handled and dipped, although condition really is mint.
Width: 1.3cm (across barrel), 1.5cm (across cap). Supplied in its original box (very good condition), outer box (some wear to its exterior) and booklet (completed, showing date of sale in 1994, but clearly could not decipher the DBL number so was left blank).