On this model the otherwise black parts (cap, grip section, filling knob) are green (light green-grey).Clear transparent version, called demonstrator were e.g. I bought a 400NN many years ago and, although I found it a good pen, I was not completely convinced, Fast forward to 2015 and I bought a mint 400 Tortoise from Ray Walters in Spitalfields Market, London. Feels great.

Why not? The cap is made from 14 carat gold.14 ct gold. The 400 cap on the left dates 1950-54 as it lacks any engraving. These were at one point shown in Pelikan’s literature alongside the 400 and 400NN suggesting at least a brief period of overlap. Copyright © 2020 Pen Chalet. I have been wanting one for some time and this popped up and I was able to get it for pretty good price. In 1973 a new edition appeared. was a little astounded by the price but really liked it when I received it and tried it. I appreciate the pen even more after reading this topic. Unlike the 140 and 300 previously discussed, each of the 400s sport a crown cap top and gold-plated furniture consisting of a beak clip and a single cap band. They write wonderfully – but they are so tiny. This was manufactured by Merz & Krell and differs in some details from the original model. In this case, production was very small. Finally, the 700/N/NN had a 14C gold overlay. People tend to inflate the prices of tortoises which is why they are expensive relative to the green striped models. Note how the 400N cap top protrudes further and how the 400NN cap top is more pointed. Not disappointed because I’m sure the original seller wouldn’t know these nuiances. If only that nib would have as much flex as my 400s.There is a big difference between the 400 and the M1000. The cap top is home to Pelikan’s former two chick logo and is surrounded by a gold-plated crown nut holding an inner cap and beak clip in place. The snorkel fillers from yesteryear are awesome and they came in a lot of shapes and styles.Great piece of information, quite useful and interesting! The 400N logo nib in the middle displays the lines of the chevron approximating one another at the slit which was utilized from 1954-64. De Man: green green all parts which are usually black are green-gray, hard to see, but if you know about it - obvious: 1954 - 1956

It both looks like a classic Pelikan but is also vintage, and so has that look. Pelikan 400 NN (1957 - 1965) Third version from the Pelikan 400 series, the Pelikan 400 NN features a bit slimmer and longer shape, with a bit more rounded and elongated ends, giving it a bit slimmer cigar looking form compared to its predecessors. It writes superbly well with a gold nib that is smooth as butter.

Nonetheless, the pen was a decent price and I’m glad to have learned more about the history of my pen thanks to you.That’s a great pen and I’m glad to have been of some assistance to you. The 400NN is a great place to start as far as vintage Pelikan goes. Thanks.Glad you enjoyed. The single cap band, designed to protect the cap lip, can be found with or without an engraving depending on the year of production. “Pelikan Schreibgeräte 1929 – 1997.” 1998. Left to right; 400 (1950-56), 400N (1956), and 400NN (1956-65). I’m not a huge fan of all the trim on the post-97 M400s. MODEL 400NN Merz and Krell 1973 - 1978. Parker Duo-fold? What is the difference between models, sizes, etc? Kudos to Christof!Very interesting and informative comparisons – thank you Christof.Truly, the Pelikan pens of the 1950s are quite beautiful.Let's not leave out those prone to crack plastic collars.

Left to right; 400 (1950-56), 400N (1956), and 400NN (1956-65). Those are so difficult to find. Hallmark (14C - 585) on the cap, barrel, clip and clip nut.14 ct gold. The downside of starting with these great pens is that now I’m completely “hooked” on vintage birds! Pelikan 400 cap bands. A big expensive pen for me — but got a pretty mint example, circa about 1995 for pretty fair price. This was manufactured by Merz & Krell and differs in some details from the original model. I have recently gone down the vintage Pelikan rabbit hole and purchased a model but realized through your article that I have a 400 body with a 400NN nib. (highly recommended, Thursdays only). The caps were threaded a bit differently and there is a completely different collar and feed employed here making the Merz & Krell product incompatible with nibs from other Pelikan models (and vice versa). The photo shows Pelikan’s line-up from the early 1950s, including the 400A trio of Pelikan 400s in Green/Black striped. Unfortunately, this has been implicated in some of the caps developing hairline cracks as … Those are some awesome, hard to come by pens.Haha! The cap is made from gold double.Tortoise brown striped. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that credit is given to Joshua E. Danley and The Pelikan’s Perch with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. I had I one for 10 years, Carrie and used it all the time. Finally, the piston mechanism is actually threaded rather than friction fitted to the barrel. As always Pen Chalet customer service is tops.What a wonderful pen! With each successive iteration, the piston knob became more elongated and pointed. These will all have engraved cap bands and logo nibs since their production came after 1954.