Fourth generation

Pelikan 100N (ca.1953)⁽¹⁾

Green indicates the changes from Pelikan 101N (ca.1949).

Cap top; material: celluloid, shape: conical, flat cap top edge, logo: new two chicks logo on the top and “GÜNTER WAGER Pelikan” on the lateral side.

Cap tube; material: celluloid, shape: no vent holes, one fluted band, grooved around the inner wall.

Clip; shape: gold plated fluted clip.

Nib; material: 14 ct gold, shape: round vent hole, logo:

Pelikan

585

14 KARAT

Feed; material: ebonite, shape: flat tail, four lamellae without the recess.

Nib socket; material: ebonite, shape: 13.5 mm, two notches facing each other.

Grip section and barrel; material: one piece injection molded transparent acrylics, shape; flat top edge, slightly tapered, no step near the thread, no brass ring.

Sleeve; material: celluloid.

Filling system; material: injection molded acrylics with white discoid synthetic plastic seal, shape: conical, smooth turning knob.

Dimensions;^(a)with sleeve, ^(b)without sleeve, ^(c)ink chamber volume

Total Cap Barrel Barrel Barrel Cap Ink Total

length length length width^(a) width^(b) width capacity^(c) weight

122 mm 61.5 mm 98.5 mm 11.5 mm 12.3 mm 13.3 mm 2.0 ml 15 g

On June 20, 1949, model IBIS was reintroduced with CN nib by the name of IBIS 130 for the domestic market only. On July 25, 1949, IBIS 130 with gold nib became available for the export market. On March 2, 1950, IBIS 130 with gold nib became available for the domestic market.

On May 25, 1950, model 400 and 500 were introduced. Model 500 has rolled gold cap and turning knob. Technologically and physically, model 400 was the successor of model 100N, although they coexisted for 4 years (1950-1954). Like 100N, model 400 had the differential piston filling mechanism and striped body. On the other hand, Günter Wagner redesigned the feed and socket for model 400. The new feed had four lamellas and more complicated ink and air channels. The new socket had 2 notches to apply the special wrench, with which the socket with nib unit was removable easily and safely from the grip section. The old plier for model 100(N) could damage the nib (Fig.6), while the new tubular wrench (Fig.7) was able to unscrew the socket without applying any force to the nib⁽²⁾. On September 18, 1950, model 600 with 14-karat gold cap and turning knob introduced. In January 1951, model 700 with fully overlaid 14-karad gold was introduced. In terms of lineup and price, model 400 became the flagship, taking the place of model 100N (Pelikan catalog No.70/8; 1951).

In 1952, the product range was further expanded. on April 22, 1952, an expensive model 140 was introduced in five different colors (red, green, gray, blue, and black).

Getting back on model 100N, in 1950, Günter Wagner introduced white disc-shaped plastic seal (Fig.5)(Green book)⁽³⁾. In 1951, Günter Wagner discontinued model 101N, diminishing model 100N family lineup in contrast to model 400 family. As from April 22, 1952, CN nib was not available any more. On January 16, 1953, the new socket system was introduced in model 100N (Green book) (according to Pelikan-collectibles, it was on September 1, 1950)⁽¹⁾.

Fig.8, 9 show how Günter Wagner redesigned feeds and sockets for model 400 and 100N. On the new sockets of model 400 and 100N (ca.1953), 2 notches are seen where tubular wrench is applied. In redesigned feeds of model 400 and 100N (ca.1953), there are two additional "compensation chambers" on lateral sides that temporarily holds overflowed ink and ventral compensation chambers are expanded from 2 to 3. The circumferential groove at the tail (Fig.8, 9 arrow) guides ink from the lowest part of the reservoir to the dorsal groove so as to make the last drop of ink available (@christof). As shown in Fig.8 bottom, ink / air channels consist of one central broad channel and two side grooves. The bottom of the central channel is curved and shallower toward the tail. This shape seems to be taken to regulate ink / air flow on the feed, and evolved in the order of model 100N (old style), 100N (new style), and 400. On the ventral side of model 400 feed, there is a groove (Fig.9 arrowhead). This seems to be the independent air channel that connect the compensation chamber with the ink reservoir. So, redesigned feeds, especially that of model 400 have technically upgraded ink / air channels and compensation chambers, contributing to stable ink flow, ink availability, and leak-proofness.

Note;⁽¹⁾ When redesigned socket was definitely introduced is inconclusive. When redesigned feed was introduced in model 100N has not been documented in the sources available (to me), as well. According to @stoen, there exists model 100N with old feed and new socket (Fig.10), while that with new feed and old socket also does. So, it may be reasonable to assume that Günter Wagner gradually switched from old style feed / socket to new style ones, not at once, between 1950 and 1953. So, this pen can be dated ca.1950 at the earliest. Dating (cs.1953) is tentative.

⁽²⁾ This system raised patent disputes with Montblanc (Green book, Pelikan’s Perch), as Montblanc had already submitted a similar socket wrench for patent protection. However, at the same time, Günter Wagner was filing a complaint against Montblanc for patent infringement as for the telescopic mechanism and screw-in nib unit in Monte Rosa pen. Then, Günter Wagner and Montblanc came to an agreement that Montblanc would allow Günter Wagner to use the new wrench without paying royalties to Montblanc, and that Günter Wagner in turn would drop patent infringement complaint against Montblanc. So, the patents concerning these mechanisms could be used by both companies without patent infringement.

⁽³⁾ According to @mana, the seal was also used in model 400. According to @mana and @stoen, the post-war 100N barrels were made with identical barrel bore (internal diameter) and spiral screw gradients as 400 barrels. So, some parts such as feeds. nibs, and seals are interchangeable between post-war model 100N and 400. Please refer to discussion in the thread for more details.