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Differences between Pelikan 400 from 1950's and Pelikan M400 from 1980's


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#1 Christof Z

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Posted 27 December 2013 - 01:41 PM

Pelikan 400 (1950-1956) versus Pelikan M400 (1982-1997)

When it comes to Pelikan 400/M400, people do often ask about the differences between the original from 1950's and the original "replica" from 1980's.
Actually, there are several differences but hard to explain/to see without having both pens side by side. The following pictures show the main differences without any claim for completeness.

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Hopefully, this may help some people to get certainty about when their pens have been made.

Christof

Edited by Christof Z, 27 December 2013 - 01:45 PM.


#2 93vtQF

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Posted 27 December 2013 - 01:47 PM

Excellent comparison. Thanks for posting that.



#3 AZuniga

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Posted 27 December 2013 - 03:30 PM

No doubt, very useful and clear... thank you



#4 pmn

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Posted 27 December 2013 - 03:44 PM

That's true art work!



#5 Mr Ink

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Posted 27 December 2013 - 05:41 PM

Wow, Christof. That is very helpful. Thank you!



#6 AeRoberto

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Posted 27 December 2013 - 06:52 PM

Great, thank you.



#7 spotted and speckled

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Posted 27 December 2013 - 09:20 PM

Art!!

 

Thank you Christof!


--Virginia

#8 piscov

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Posted 27 December 2013 - 11:01 PM

Very helpful! Thank you!


Best regards
Vasco

simbolo-e-nomesmall2_zps47c0db08.jpg

Check out "Pena Lusa by Piscov". Pens added on a regular basis!

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#9 Christof Z

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Posted 28 December 2013 - 05:27 PM

Thanks. Glad you liked this.
Some years ago, I did a similar comparison for FPN. The pens compared were a Pelikan 100 from 1936 and a Pelikan 101 "replica" aka "Originals of their time", or LE 1935...

Here are the pics:

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I have to mention that the replica did not come to me with the correct nib. So I built a replica nib unit with an original vintage Pelikan 100 nib, a modern nib collar and a vintage feeder from a 100N (wider diameter). The original replica should be fitted with a modern 18 ct. nib, a modern plastic feeder and a modern nib collar.
6387801287_bb44f9cacb_b.jpg

Hope you will like this too.

Christof

#10 bluejay

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Posted 28 December 2013 - 05:34 PM

What is that red blemish on the 400 nib?



#11 Christof Z

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Posted 28 December 2013 - 06:10 PM

What is that red blemish on the 400 nib?


It's just tarnished.

Christof

#12 markiv

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Posted 28 December 2013 - 11:41 PM

Fantastic thread! Thanks Christof. 


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#13 piscov

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Posted 30 December 2013 - 01:05 AM

Christof,

 

Hope you don't mind me adding the evolution of the nibs used in the Pelikan 400, 400N, 400 NN and M400 pens. 1950 to 1990

 

Sorry all for the poor picture quality when compared with Christof superb pictures.

IMG_1613.JPG


Best regards
Vasco

simbolo-e-nomesmall2_zps47c0db08.jpg

Check out "Pena Lusa by Piscov". Pens added on a regular basis!

Link for Vintage Montblanc pens here

Link for Vintage Pelikan pens here


#14 soot

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Posted 30 December 2013 - 01:39 AM

This is a great thread for the Pelikan enthusiast! Kudos to Christof!



#15 BMG

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Posted 30 December 2013 - 09:03 AM

Very interesting and informative comparisons – thank you Christof.

 

Truly, the Pelikan pens of the 1950s are quite beautiful.



#16 discopig

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Posted 07 January 2014 - 09:08 AM

This is a great post, thanks.



#17 Christof Z

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Posted 09 January 2014 - 04:02 PM

Christof,

Hope you don't mind me adding the evolution of the nibs used in the Pelikan 400, 400N, 400 NN and M400 pens. 1950 to 1990

Sorry all for the poor picture quality when compared with Christof superb pictures.
IMG_1613.JPG

Thanks for adding this, Vasco.

Just for completeness, we should also mention that the very first Pelikan 400 cam with a friction fit nib unit like this:
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Nib unit of a Pelikan 400 made in the first two months of production. (To be exact: from may 25. to august 1950)
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But these are rather hard to find...

Funny enough to mention is that Pelikan did exactly the same try with the very first Pelikan M400 and M200 in the 1980's.
9233688420_fd0633bf6e_b.jpg

Christof

Edited by Christof Z, 09 January 2014 - 04:06 PM.


#18 Saleem ali

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Posted 12 January 2014 - 06:53 PM

Marvellous work, Christof Z , thanks!



#19 Rick Krantz

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Posted 15 January 2014 - 11:21 PM

we should pin this topic, great resource here! 



#20 soot

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Posted 18 January 2014 - 08:59 AM

Let's not leave out those prone to crack plastic collars.

 

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Edited by soot, 18 January 2014 - 09:00 AM.





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