When I started old "Vintage Pelikan Pens" on Google site basis, I listed only model 100 series (100/100N) and their economy pens. Model 100 was the first fountain produced by Günter Wagner, and model 100N was the revision of model 100. Both models have their origins in prewar time (Golden age of fountain pens). Without doubt, model 100 and 100N should be the vintage Pelikan fountain pens.

Upon renewal in April, 2022, however, I changed my mind, and added model 400 series (400/400N/400NN)  and their economy pens to my new "Vintage Pelikan Pens" (this site). Indeed model 400 series were introduced after WWII (The Fall of Fountain Pens), but the glass negatives in the Pelikan archive indicate that design study for model 400 had been started in late 1930's (Pelikan Schreibgeräte), and the model has inherited much heritage from model 100 series. 

 

I would say that model 100 series and their economy pens are the first generation of Pelikan fountain pens. Model model 400 series and their economy pens would be the second generation.

Both the first and the second  generations have much in common. For example;

• The filling system; almost all the fountain pens in both generations had a piston filler system (the only exception is bulb filler Rappen). In the following  generations, new filling system was introduced (e.g. cartridge/converter filler).

• The nibs style; the first and the second generations had traditional open nibs. In the following  generation, hooded/semi-hooded nibs dominated, probably reflecting the tastes of the time.

• The numbering system; we can see that model 100 series and model 400 series were numbered after the same concept. All fountain pens except for Rappen had three digit model number. New model was denoted by "N" that was placed after the model number (e.g. 400N). Other alphabet letter(s) were placed after the model number to denote other variation or model  (e.g. 100Na, 100Nf). AFAIK, the only exception was model T111. In the following  generations, model numbers had one, two three, or four digits. Alphabet(s) were placed before the model number to denote the filling system (and the grade of the fountain pen) (e.g. MK*30, P490, L5. M7000). *K denoted "Kunststoff" ("plastic")(Pelikan-collectibles).

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So, both generations taken together are vintage Pelikan fountain pens for me. From a viewpoint of "generations" and flagship/economy model, I rearranged them, as shown in the top page.

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Modern Pelikan fountain pens started, in my opinion, from model P1. Although the model was introduced in 1958, the middle of the second generation and sold concurrently with model 400NN, P1 had novel nib/feed system and new  model numbering. Moreover, its derived model​s Pelikano, P25/15 were the Pelikan's first cartridge/converter filler. So, I included model P1/25/15 in the third generation of modern Pelikan pens.

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Please note that "generation" and my ”rearrangement" are just my opinion, and are basically for descriptive purpose. There are so many vintage Pelikan fountain pens produced ever. I hope that my website is any help for the better perspective and the better understanding of vintage Pelikan fountain pens.   

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