From 1997 to 2003, Pelikan released a series of re-editions of fountain pens based on the model 100 under the title “Originals of Their Time.” The aim was to bring vintage fountain pens back to life for the modern era and give more collectors the opportunity to experience these masterpieces of the past. At the time, in Japan, if you purchased a 1931 or 1935 model from the “Originals of Their Time” series, the package reportedly included a photo of the model 101N and a questionnaire asking if you wanted that pen. Naturally, Pelikan fans must have expected a reedition of the Model 100N to follow, but they had to wait until 2011. I recall that when the re-edition based on the Model 100N finally arrived, it did not carry a series name like “Originals of Their Time.” The first model released was the M101N Tortoiseshell Brown. This was modeled after the Pelikan 101N Tortoiseshell (with both cap and sleeve in tortoiseshell) released in 1937 (Hereinafter referred to as the original 101N).

I would like to discuss the features of the M101N Tortoiseshell Brown while comparing it to the original 101N.

First, let’s look at the nib unit. The nib is essentially a “downgraded” version of the Originals of their Time 18-karat nib—retaining the same shape but made of 14-karat gold—yet the engraving is identical to that of the original 101N:
 

Pelikan
585
14KARAT
F

The “Pelikan” is written in dotted script. Since the original 101N had a 14-karat nib, one could argue that this version is actually closer to the original. The collar and feed are likely the same as those of the “Originals of their Time” model, and in fact, it is compatible with the “Originals of their Time” nib unit.

The grip section is straight and without step, which was introduced on the original 101N in 1949 and is likely a reproduction of that design. However, the grip section and the threaded section for the cap are molded as a single piece (made of cellulose acetate), a feature not found on the original 101N.