Vintage Original 1956 MONTBLANC No. 342 Flexible 14K Gold EF to BB Nib Piston Fountain Pen Item ID: MON-052

MONTBLANC No.342

Manufacturer/Model: Montblanc Germany/342 (The first Original Model)
Year of production: 1956-1957
Filling system: Piston filling
Nib: 14K gold EF (extra fine) size, flexible, to write all sizes up to BB (F, M, B & BB)
Material: Black highly processed plastic resin body & cap, gold filled cap ring and clip.
Length (pen closed): Compact at 128mm, posted at 158mm

Condition and information:
The pen offered here is the legendary 342 model, in great mint condition, not restored originally preserved Montblanc masterpiece. No scratches, no dings, no cracks, only minimal signs of use, perfectly preserved. This model is famous for its reliability, perfection in simplicity, both in design and functionality, and most importantly famous for its performance, there is nothing that can go wrong with it and its perfectly reliable. The pen has perfect form factor, superb balance, handling and feel, easy to use yet powerful and reliable writing instrument. The pen comes with its original flexible nib placed on an ebonite feeder and feed ring, flexibility rare even by Montblanc standards, as it melts as soon as it touches the paper. With just the gentlest push it can write all bigger sizes up to BB and back, thus the produced writing is simply amazing. The feed has two ink canals which allow for the heavy ink flow. The tines split apart as soon as the nib touches the paper. The "342 Montblanc" inscribed on the ring, indicating the early production 1956-1957, unlike 3-42 or 3-42G of later MonteRosa production. The 342 models should not be confused with the later model - the 3-42G which was produced later 1958-59 and the G indicated the pen was fitted with gold nib as there were 342 with steel nibs due to shortages of gold in Germany after the WWII. The pen here is the original 342, where all these were fitted with gold nibs. Clear blue ink window and the original silicone cork, one of the first Montblanc pens to feature a new generation at the time, silicone cork. Piston is smooth with brass components and a star shaped cross-section spiral guided shaft, meant to last forever. Logo located on top of the cap. Simply one of the best Montblancs of the 50's, and one of the all time best.