Pelikan 100/100N barrel variation

Here, the variation of Pelikan 100/100N barrels is focused on.

As to material, it has been said that the barrel was made of celluloid (cellulose nitrate) until the material was replaced with acrylics in 1940. But, according to @stoen, there existed uncommon barrels made of cellulose acetate⁽¹⁾(e.g. model 100 in the 3rd generation (Fig.1), model 100N (Fig.2)). So celluloid and cellulose acetate coexisted for years. In 1939-1940, Günter Wagner utilized cellulose acetate for other parts (e.g. sections, barrels) to replace ebonite as the company did so with celluloid. But, beginning in 1940, acrylics took over celluloid / cellulose acetate in a stepwise manner.
When celluloid barrels were introduced for model 100 in 1931, they were free form protection rings (Fig.3-1). The barrel soon got reinforced with brass rings (Fig.3-2). Model 100N had the reinforcing rings from the beginning. But, there exist 100/100N/101N barrels without ring (Fig.4 middle, Fig.5, Fig.6 bottom, Fig.7). Without ring, the barrel is less resistant to crack, but sleeve looks tidy or clear⁽¹⁾. When acrylics barrel was introduced, reinforcing ring was not mounted anymore.
There exist barrels coated with white paint so that base barrel color would not show through the sleeve, most of which I know are tortoise shell model 100/101N (Fig.4 middle, Fig.5, Fig.6 bottom).
Model 100N produced in Milan also can be called "variants" in every sense.
Fig.8 is Pelikan 101N with short cap top which has the one-piece barrel. Interestingly, this pen has no nib collar and nib and feeder are just friction fit mounted to the section.

Note;⁽¹⁾Please compare the first year 101N and the 2nd year 101N (Fig.6).

⁽²⁾According to @stoen, some obvious advantages of cellulose acetate over cellulose nitrate are:

possibility of both injection molding and machining
being less flammable and more chemically stable
being mechanically less brittle and less prone to discoloration
not crystalizing at the junction with ebonite after more than 50 years (this is what we know now!).

Yet, it was a rather expensive and highly decorative material, so it’s unlikely that inner parts would be made from it (@stoen).

Fig.1

Cellulose acetate barrel of Pelikan 100 cutaway model (ca.1933).

84AD1037-262E-4127-A839-D035EE01D688.jpeg.f6507f3d431c1a1eb71f3703216ee5a3.jpeg

Fig.2

Cellulose acetate barrel of Pelikan 100N. By courtesy of @stoen.

Fig.3-1

Pelikan 100 without the reinforcing ring (ca.1931).

Fig.3-2

Pelikan 100 with the reinforcing ring (ca.1931).

Fig.4

Middle; Pelikan Magnum (ca.1935).

Fig.5

Pelikan 100 tortoise (ca.1935).

Pelikan 100/100N barrel variation

Here, the variation of Pelikan 100/100N barrels is focused on.

There exist barrels coated with white paint so that base barrel color would not show through the sleeve, most of which I know are tortoise shell model 100/101N (Fig.4 middle, Fig.5, Fig.6 bottom).

Model 100N produced in Milan also can be called "variants" in every sense.

Fig.8 is Pelikan 101N with short cap top which has the one-piece barrel. Interestingly, this pen has no nib collar and nib and feeder are just friction fit mounted to the section.

Note;⁽¹⁾Please compare the first year 101N and the 2nd year 101N (Fig.6).

⁽²⁾According to @stoen, some obvious advantages of cellulose acetate over cellulose nitrate are:

possibility of both injection molding and machining

being less flammable and more chemically stable

being mechanically less brittle and less prone to discoloration

not crystalizing at the junction with ebonite after more than 50 years (this is what we know now!).

Yet, it was a rather expensive and highly decorative material, so it’s unlikely that inner parts would be made from it (@stoen).

Home About Overview Glossary Supplement Sources Blog Contact

©2021 tacitus

Pelikan 100/100N barrel variation

Here, the variation of Pelikan 100/100N barrels is focused on.

​

There exist barrels coated with white paint so that base barrel color would not show through the sleeve, most of which I know are tortoise shell model 100/101N (Fig.4 middle, Fig.5, Fig.6 bottom).

Model 100N produced in Milan also can be called "variants" in every sense.

Fig.8 is Pelikan 101N with short cap top which has the one-piece barrel. Interestingly, this pen has no nib collar and nib and feeder are just friction fit mounted to the section.

Note;⁽¹⁾Please compare the first year 101N and the 2nd year 101N (Fig.6).

⁽²⁾According to @stoen, some obvious advantages of cellulose acetate over cellulose nitrate are:

possibility of both injection molding and machining

being less flammable and more chemically stable

being mechanically less brittle and less prone to discoloration

not crystalizing at the junction with ebonite after more than 50 years (this is what we know now!).

Yet, it was a rather expensive and highly decorative material, so it’s unlikely that inner parts would be made from it (@stoen).