First generation

Pelikan 101N (ca.1937)

In 1937, model 100N was introduced for the export market. In the same year, model 101N, characterized by colored cap and sleeve, was also introduced. The lineup were as follows (cap / sleeve):

• brown / tortoiseshell

• tortoiseshell/ tortoiseshell

• lizard / lizard

This is the first year model 101N with tortoiseshell cap and tortoiseshell sleeve and old four chicks logo on the cap top. "Pelikan" typography on the cap top and nib is newer one that was revised in 1937 (click). There is “Pelikan D.R.P. Pelikan D.R.P.” logo on the lateral side⁽¹⁾. As I wrote in Pelikan Magnum, the barrel is coated with white paint. But, the white paint on the reinforcing ring and the portion near the grip section is missing or degenerated. So, the tortoiseshell is heterogenous. Other specifications are same as the first year model 100N.

Here, I'd like to comment on the material of the pen. I sometimes witnessed shrinkage of celluloid pens over time. When combined with other material, the shrinkage or deformation was distinct (Fig.4,5)⁽²⁾. Of course, this is one example, and not all the 100N/101N are like this. Fig.6 is the an example of well preserved Pelikan 101N. As a matter of fact, Günter Wagner was trying to reduce the disadvantage of the material and shape. I'll focus on the barrel of 100N/101N, somewhere else.

Note; ⁽¹⁾ D.R.P. is a abbreviation for "Deutsches Reichspatent". I don't know when DRP appeared on the logo. But, presumably it was used at latest until May, 1945 when "Deutsches Reich" ceased to exist. My 101N has "DRP" logo, while my 100N has ”Pelikan Patent". According to @stoen, "...the coexistence of “PATENT” and “DRP” in the first year could have the following explanation:

• Pens assembled in Pelikan factories outside Germany (Italy, Danzig, Bulgaria, etc.), must have been issued registered patents in the countries of manufacturing. Therefore the sign must have been "PATENT".

• Pens assembled in German Reich to be exported to France, UK, Switzerland, etc. pointed reference to the patent in the country of origin, therefore "DRP".

• Once 100N was introduced in Germany, the sign for the local market was also PATENT, AFAIK..."

⁽²⁾ The cap top of 101N consists of two parts, the cap top (celluloid) combined with the inner tube (ebonite). In Fig.4 bottom, after 84 years of production, celluloid cap top shrunk except for the portion on the ebonite lining. So, there is a remarkable crack all around the cap top side as a result of distortion. In Fig.5, celluloid sleeve shrunk except for the portion on the brass ring. So, there is a step on the sleeve around the reinforcing ring edge.