NOS 1960 Pelikan 400NN (400) Very Rare EEF (Extra Extra Fine) 14K Nib Tortoise Green Striped Gunther Wagner Fountain Pen in Leather Pouch Item ID: PEL-114

Pelikan 400NN

Manufacturer/Model: Pelikan 400NN Gunther Wagner/Germany
Year of production: Between 1957-1965; Pen in this listing made approximately in 1960-62
Filling system: Piston filling
Nib: 14K 585 Solid Gold, Rare EEF "Extra Extra Fine" Needle like nib tip; Semi-flexible nib, writes wider lines when pressed gently
Material: Celluloid tortoise green striped; Gold filled metal parts (clip, clip-top & cap ring)
Length (pen closed): 130.5mm; Posted 148mm

Condition and information:
Offered here is the legendary Pelikan, model 400NN is one of the most beautiful vintage Pelikan pens ever made, in translucent Tortoise Green striped body and an extraordinarily rare and unique nib, a EEF size, Extra Extra Fine. This is the third series of the 400 line launched in 1953. The first line is the 400 model with nearly flat cap-top and turning knob. The second is 400N which has slightly more pronounced cap-top and turning knob curvature. This last model the 400NN features more elongated cap-top and turning knob with much more distinct curvature to represent the modern times of the late 50's and early 60's. The "N" nomenclature on each pen model stand for "Neu" meaning "New", therefore in this model NN stands for "Pelikan 400 New New".

Even better is the fact that the pen is near NOS New Old Stock condition, inked only once, basically never used, still with its original nib size sticker and comes in a genuine black leather pouch as it was sold in at the time. It is extremely rare to find these pens in such unused condition, a true time capsule pen. The pen has crisp stripes and colors, the body is nearly transparent, where the user can see the piston action and the silicone cork clearly. The piston is very smooth, operates as new and takes considerable amount of ink. The silicon piston cork provides great flexible fit to the pen's inner walls and never leaks. Original ebonite (hard vulcanized rubber) elongated feeder provides for a very good ink flow. Most importantly the pen has the original early production ebonite hard rubber feed-ring. Many later production 400NN have a Plexiglas feed-rings which are almost always cracked and will leak ink around the feed making the pen useless. This feed ring cannot crack as it's flexible. It is also easy to remove the entire feed-nib unit simply by unscrewing it, which gives access to the section and the barrel in order to clean them safely and easily. Crisp imprints on the cap's ring and a "RG 400NN" imprint under the clip. All trimmings are gold filled, thus unlike gold plating, gold filled parts do not ware off. Since the pen has not been used, the cap also has another unique original feature preserved, that is an inner ring which pulls the section of the pen in on the last turn, in order to prevent accidental unscrewing of the cap.

The nib is one of the rarest nibs made even in those times, a needle like sharp but very smooth EEF nib. Such nibs are not produced for decades now as they are extremely difficult to make. The grinding on the iridium tip on the nib has to be made with such an extreme precision, that only after several attempts only one nib would be correctly made/grinded. Writing with this nib is unusual to say the least, it produces extremely sharp line as if writing with a 0.5mm mechanical pencil. Of course this being a soft fountain pen one can experiment and press while writing to produce wider lines. However the normal writing is simply a unique experience.

The 400 was the Pelikan flagship pen for many years, all luxurious and limited edition models were based on this model. A truly remarkable Pelikan masterpiece, proven pen in every respect, highest quality build, a pen that performs like a true vintage Pelikan and one that looks stunning, easy to clean and maintain and probably the perfect and most reliable Pelikan pen ever made.