Original 1950-1956 PELIKAN 500 Gunther Wagner Rolled Gold Fully Flexible 14K Gold M Nib Tortoise Brown Striped Celluloid Shell Fountain Pen Item ID: PEL-150

Pelikan 500 The Original 1950s First Series

Manufacturer/Model: Pelikan/Germany/500 (Gunther Wagner)
Year of production: 1950-1956
Filling system: Piston Filler
Nib: Solid 14K 585 gold, BB Double Broad fully flexible, writes BB, BBB and even wider
Material: Thick tortoise brown celluloid body, rolled gold cap, clip, captop ring and turning knob
Length (pen closed): 125.5mm closed, 146mm posted

Condition and information:
Offered here is the original 1950/1951 first series Pelikan 500 model. This pen was a high-end flagship pen at the time offered by Pelikan, a sub-line of the original 400 model launched in 1950/51 and it was in production till 1956. There two variations of this model, one that bares a "Double L" inscription on the cap which meant rolled gold over brass made in the first couple of years, and this pen which bares "Rolled Gold" mark, hence this pen is probably a 1954-1956 production and the markings on the cap and barrel are the following:
Cap: "Gunther Wagner Germany Rolled Gold"
Barrel (under the turning knob): "Gunther Wagner Germany Pelikan 500"

As good as the 400 model is, this is a class up, simply astonishing pen. This series was launched to replace the original 100 model, and became one of the most recognizable, reliable, sought after Pelikan pens of all time. The fountain pen has a perfect form factor and balance, it simply feels right in the hand. Even though it is 125mm long, it feels as a very large and thick pen, and when the cap is posted, due to the cap's substantial weight it provides for that perfect Pelikan balance. It is a very thick pen, the size and form factor on the grip section are still the basis of today's Pelikan pens. The pen features a fully flexible very rare BB double broad nib. These 50's Pelikan nibs are simply astonishing, melting on the paper, smooth as a paint brush. The nib will produce all sorts of line variations when the pen is rotated but it will also produce a nice broad lines which can be even broader with a gentle push while writing. The nib is huge and its suspended on an elongated original ebonite feed and original non-cracky ebonite feed rign, which provides for perfect ink flow and consistency. The clear tortoise shell is close to transparent, its simply amazing how beautiful this pen is. It has a nice piston filling action with the first silicone corks Pelikan used, and its still the original one fitting the pen perfectly and filling it up smoothly each time with a smooth piston action.

The pen is in a very good condition, there are some signs of use, some micro scratches are evident on all such rolled gold pens cap's due to the ease at which they can show up. However there are no carks or other issues, a very nicely preserved pen. This was the Pelikan flagship pen for years, all luxurious models were based on this model. One of the best vintage Pelikan pens ever made.