top of page
Pelikan 100N (ca.1942)⁽¹⁾ - the third generation
Green indicates the points that differ from Pelikan 100N (ca.1939).
Cap top; material: cellulose acetate, shape: conical, flat cap top edge, logo: new two chicks logo on the top and “Pelikan PATENT Pelikan PATENT” on the lateral side.
Cap tube; material: cellulose acetate, shape: no vent holes, two narrow bands, grooved around the inner wall.
Clip; shape: gold plated drop clip.
Nib; chromium/nickel (CN) - steel, shape: round vent hole, logo: (“CN” is circled)
Pelikan
CN
Feed; material: ebonite, shape: flat tail, three lamellae without the recess.
Nib socket; material: ebonite, shape: 13.5 mm.
Grip section and barrel;material: one piece injection molded transparent acrylics, shape; flat top edge, slightly tapered, step near the thread, no brass ring.
Sleeve; material: cellulose acetate.
Filling system; material: injection molded cellulose acetate with black elastomer seal⁽¹⁾, shape: conical, smooth turning knob.
Dimensions;
As from October 11, 1939, Pelikan fountain pens were fitted with chromium/nickel (CN) - steel nib, as the use of palladium nibs for the domestic market was forbidden by the government⁽²⁾. It is likely that early CN nibs were lightly gold-plated (Fig.4 third from left). Some nibs had the half round slit for flexibility (Fig.1,4). please refer to Pelikan 100 (ca.1940) for further information on CN nib.
Until 1940, the body was made of ebonite section (Fig.6 left) and celluloid/cellulose acetate barrel (ver.1)⁽¹⁾. In early 1940's, Günter Wagner introduced new material, acrylics to the barrels (Pelikan Schreibgeräte). With the introduction of acrylics, model 100N went into the "3rd generation". It seems that the material of the filling system was also (gradually) replaced with cellulose acetate. According to @stoen's observation, at first, Günter Wagner manufactured injection molded acrylic barrel with cellulose acetate stepped section (ver.2a)(Fig.6 right). Ver.2a section had narrower threading and could fit model 100 barrel, but the step would be too wide and collar / feed slot is of wrong type for model 100. Ver.2a bodies accept only black synthetic plastic seal (Fig.5 middle), because the “pork-pie-hat” piston nut of the cork seal cannot fit the back end of the section bore (Fig.7 bottom). Around the same time, the company manufactured injection molded acrylic barrel with cellulose acetate stepless section (ver.2b) (Fig.8). Ver.2b is compatible with ver.1, meaning that the section and barrel of ver.2b can fit the barrel and ebonite section of ver.1, respectively. Ver.2b bodies accept either cork or black elastomer plastic seal. @stoen's observation suggests that the black elastomer seal was introduced sometime between 1940 and 1942, and coexisted with cork seal for a while. The reinforcing ring was no more installed on ver.2a and ver.2b. Around 1942, Günter Wagner engineered the injection molded one piece acrylic body with step (ver.3). The section was painted black from inside. In the same period, the company gradually replaced celluloid with cellulose acetate for other parts (@stoen). In October, 1942, the black elastomer seal finally replaced cork seal (Pelikan Schreibgeräte).
Thereafter, ver.3 body had been unchanged until after WWII. Around 1949, the body was replaced with injection molded one piece acrylic body without step (ver.4).
My pen with all signs of model 100N with ver.3 body of the 3rd generation, may be dated ca.1942.
Note;⁽¹⁾Based on @stoen’s original research, I summarized the transition of the body of model 100N, showing its "evolution". To tell the truth, I didn't notice that evolution, until pointed out by @stoen. As you know, version is my arbitrary naming, and only for the descriptive purpose.
Ver.1; Ebonite stepped section / celluloid or cellulose acetate barrel (1937-1940) (cork seal)
↓
Ver.2a; Cellulose acetate stepped section / injection molded acrylic plastic barrel (1940-1942) (black synthetic plastic seal)
Ver.2b; Cellulose acetate stepless section / injection molded acrylic plastic barrel (1940-1942) (cork seal or black synthetic plastic seal)
↓
Ver.3; One piece stepped acrylic plastic body (1942-1949) (black synthetic plastic seal)
↓
Ver.4; One piece stepless acrylic plastic body (1949-1954) (black → white synthetic plastic seal)
According to @stoen, both, ver.2a and ver.2b are rather uncommon, but not prototype, and were likely transitional model to ver.3. The advantages of one piece injection molded acrylic bodies (at the cost of serviceability) is probably productivity, cost, and quality control. @stoen found ver.3 pens had slightly wider grip/cap threading and ink window than ver.4, as ver.4 caps that @stoen has tried couldn’t fit the ver.3 bodies. @stoen also found that in “stepped” bodies (no matter, one or two piece), the section wall were rather thin, and would easily crack there. In ver.4, such a “design weakness” was improved, and fewer ver.4 pens developed cracks in that part. Whether there was a body evolution in model 100 remains to be elucidated.
⁽²⁾Some export market pens had gold nibs (1940 Gray Pelikan 100N Set).
bottom of page