The M101N Tortoiseshell Red is the third release in a series of re-editions based on the Pelikan 101N, which was first released in 1937⁽¹⁾. It is based on the Pelikan 101N brown/tortoiseshell and features a red cap, grip section, and turning knob, along with a tortoiseshell sleeve.
 
The nib unit (Fig.2) is identical to that of the M101N Tortoiseshell Brown (2011). The construction of the grip section (Fig.4-1), barrel, and filling mechanism is also same; please refer to the M101N Tortoiseshell Brown (2011) for details. The only structural difference between the M101N Tortoiseshell Brown and the M101N Tortoiseshell Red is the cap tube. Since the colors of the sleeve and cap are different on the M101N Tortoiseshell Red, there was naturally no need for an acrylic resin lining to match them (Fig.3-3).
 
First, this fountain pen is characterized by its sleeve, which features typical colors and patterns that will come to mind when Pelikan connoisseur hear the word "tortoiseshell" (of course, these impressions may vary from person to person). I lined up the M101N Tortoiseshell Red with the three tortoiseshell fountain pens I own for comparison, and I see that the colors and patterns are very similar (Fig.3-4). Using a magnifying glass, I examined the original sleeves and found that they feature a diverse range of colors, from white and yellow to dark brown, arranged in an irregular, flowing striped pattern. Furthermore, pearlescent sheen is arranged in a flaky pattern (Fig.5-1 right). Similarly, the M101N Tortoiseshell Red sleeve has a base color of light ocher, with strips of colors ranging from white to dark brown. However, this one has a sheen that looks as if fine mother-of-pearl powder has been sprinkled all over it (Fig.5-1 left). This wasn't noticeable just by looking at it from a distance (and even less so in photos). The sleeve of the M101N Tortoiseshell Brown is clearly pearly green, even from a distance. The sleeve of the M101N Tortoiseshell Red, on the other hand, is glossy but not very conspicuous, giving a subdued impression. I suspect this was done to prevent the sleeve from looking too flashy when paired with the red cap and turning knob.

Another distinctive feature of this fountain pen is amber color of ink window (Fig.4-1) and barrel (Fig.5-2), which differ from that of the original 101Ns or the M101N Tortoiseshell Brown. When the original 101N was first produced, the ink window was green (Pelikan 101N (ca.1937)). However, it gradually discolored due to exposure to sunlight and ink. Consequently, many of the pens that have survived to the present day—more than 90 years later—now have ink windows that have turned amber or a much darker shade (Fig.4-2). Consequently, when people think of vintage 100N/101N fountain pens, they may picture an amber-colored ink window. Pelikan probably chose this color because of that association and because they felt amber, with its subdued tint, suited this fountain pen's atmosphere more than green.

On the other hand, the color of the cap, the turning knob, and the grip is difficult to describe in a single word—it’s not brown, but  rather red brown with a unique tint. Pelikan probably chose this color as a modern reinterpretation of the 101N in brown/tortoiseshell⁽²⁾. With the 101N Tortoiseshell Brown, the cap and sleeve of pearly green color immediately catch the eye. With the M101N Tortoiseshell Red, wouldn’t your eyes be drawn first to the cap rather than the tortoiseshell sleeve? That said, this shade of red isn’t too flashy; if anything, it gives this fountain pen a chic look. Of course, these impressions of mine are very subjective, and it’s unclear whether Pelikan intended it to be so, but, I believe that with the M101N Tortoiseshell Red, Pelikan sought to create a unique fountain pen that differs from the M101N Tortoiseshell Brown and is not merely a reproduction of the original 101N. I’ll discuss this color later.

It’s brief, but it will cover the basics of the M101N Tortoiseshell Red. While this should suffice, it’s worth mentioning the M600 Tortoiseshell Red when evaluating the M101N Tortoiseshell Red. The M600 Tortoiseshell Red was released six years later. At present, the modern Pelikan fountain pens that were labeled “Tortoiseshell Red” are the only these two pens. I myself don’t own the M600 Tortoiseshell Red (but I do own the K600 Tortoiseshell Red ballpoint pen for some reason). Fortunately, Pelikan’s Perch compared the M600 Tortoiseshell Red with the M101N Tortoiseshell Red, so you can refer to the detailed review. The M600 Tortoiseshell Red and M101N Tortoiseshell Red were produced in different eras and belong to different series. Naturally, the concepts behind these fountain pens are different. With the M101N Tortoiseshell Red, Pelikan may have been conscious of a return to vintage aesthetics, opting for understated colors⁽³⁾. Additionally, the exclusive packaging introduced first with the M101N Tortoiseshell Red with a retro feel complements the fountain pen’s vintage atmosphere (Fig.6-2, 6-3, 6-4). In contrast, the M600 Tortoiseshell Red had no such constraints, so Pelikan designed the sleeve exactly as they wanted, resulting in such a striking color⁽³⁾. In my view, this tortoiseshell color is the furthest from the typical image of tortoiseshell that Pelican has ever produced. But, I'll stop here, as discussing the M600 Tortoiseshell Red any further would stray from the point. Moreover, I'm afraid I might gradually find myself wanting one, just as I did with the M101N Tortoiseshell Brown.

Returning to the M101N Tortoiseshell Red, I compared it to the other red Pelikan fountain pens I own, and found that its red color differs from the deep red of the M600 Tortoiseshell Red as well as the red and vermilion of the Golden Phoenix and 1000 Years of Austria (Fig.7). It's not surprising that Pelikan fine-tunes the shade of red for each model, but, after pondering for a while why the M101N Tortoiseshell Red has such a unique tint, I finally realized that the red of the M101N Tortoiseshell Red can be created by by gradually incorporating the various colors of the sleeve into the red⁽⁴⁾. Viewed in this way, you can see the consistent harmony between the colors of the cap, turning knob, ink window, and sleeve. While the M101N Tortoiseshell Red doesn't feature the same bold experimentation as the M101N Tortoiseshell Brown, one could argue that it is a beautifully balanced fountain pen.

Note;⁽¹⁾I recall that there was no series name when it was first released, but looking at the Pelikan Archive, it is classified under the “Premium M101 Series” of Historical models.
⁽²⁾In contrast, 90 years ago, a more subdued brown would have been preferred by conservative German consumers (Pelikan 101 (ca.1935)).
⁽³⁾"The deeper red of the resin components is sharp looking and makes the M101N appear dull in comparison (Pelikan’s Perch)".
⁽⁴⁾For that reason, it may be more appropriate to call this color "red ocher."