In 1982 Pelikan re-established the production of high-quality fountain pens. In 1965, Pelikan stopped producing the 400NN, and after this Merz & Krell only produced it for a period. The return to old values is shown by the fact that the only substantial difference between the new M400 and the old 400 is the feed. Modern feeds are produced by injection molding, so finer fins are possible, which run across rather than along the length of the nib.
The nib units of the first production are friction-fit, after a short time the nib units were threaded and were for screwing in. It is interesting to note that this development is also a commonality of the M400 with the model Pelikan 400 of the 1950th.
The Pelikan logo was made to correspond to the type of pen, so that pens in a case could be rapidly identified. The fountain pen´s logo was still in the matching color, while the rollerball´s logo is grey. The models after 1st of September 1997 have uniform design marks and the style was upgraded with double decorative rings on the filling knob, a second ring on the cap and a ring on the grip section.
In the early years the model was sold in Japan were labelled as # 500 or M500, see photo of the leaflet below.
Model | Production Period | Nib |
---|---|---|
M400 (Old Style) | 1982-1997 | 14 ct gold nib |
Weight | Total Length | Barrel Length | Cap Length | Diameter | Ink Capacity |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
0.49 oz | 4.92 in | 4.02 in | 2.24 in | 0.46 in | 1.40 ml |
14.0 g | 125 mm | 102 mm | 57 mm | 11.7 mm |
First models had a friction fit nib unit, but this was quickly changed and installed the usual thread nib unit.
Demonstrator, logo on green translucent cap top.
Model | Production Period | Nib |
---|---|---|
M400 | since 09/1997 | 14 ct gold nib |
Weight | Total Length | Barrel Length | Cap Length | Diameter | Ink Capacity |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
0.54 oz | 4.92 in | 4.02 in | 2.24 in | 0.46 in | 1.30 ml |
15.3 g | 125 mm | 102 mm | 57 mm | 11.7 mm |
Model | Production Period | Nib |
---|---|---|
M405 | since 2002 | 14 ct gold nib |
Weight | Total Length | Barrel Length | Cap Length | Diameter | Ink Capacity |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
15,3 g | 4.92 in | 4.02 in | 2.24 in | 0.46 in | 1.30 ml |
15.3 g | 125 mm | 102 mm | 57 mm | 11.7 mm |
This model is a Special Edition of the brown tortoise striped M400 and has no ring at the filling knob. The nib style is the typical design as with the M400 model, but without the rhodium bi-color plating, so the nib color is yellow gold.
Model | Production Period | Nib |
---|---|---|
M415 | 2009 | 14 ct gold nib |
Weight | Total Length | Barrel Length | Cap Length | Diameter | Ink Capacity |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
0.49 oz | 4.92 in | 4.02 in | 2.24 in | 0.46 in | 1.30 ml |
14.0 g | 125 mm | 102 mm | 57 mm | 11.7 mm |
For the US market
Cap and filling knob made from sterling silver.
Model | Production Period | Nib |
---|---|---|
M420 | 2004-2007 | 18 ct gold nib |
Weight | Total Length | Barrel Length | Cap Length | Diameter | Ink Capacity |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
0.84 oz | 4.92 in | 4.02 in | 2.24 in | 0.46 in | 1.30 ml |
23.7 g | 125 mm | 102 mm | 57 mm | 11.7 mm |
Cap and filling knob made from sterling silver. Barrel is transparent dark green.
Model | Production Period | Nib |
---|---|---|
M425 | 2005 | 18 ct gold nib |
Weight | Total Length | Barrel Length | Cap Length | Diameter | Ink Capacity |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
4.92 in | 4.02 in | 2.24 in | 0.46 in | 1.30 ml | |
125 mm | 102 mm | 57 mm | 11.7 mm |
Model | Production Period | Nib |
---|---|---|
M430 | 1999 | 18 ct gold nib |
Weight | Total Length | Barrel Length | Cap Length | Diameter | Ink Capacity |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
4.92 in | 4.02 in | 2.24 in | 0.46 in | 1.30 ml | |
125 mm | 102 mm | 57 mm | 11.7 mm |
Cap is made from sterling silver
Cap and filling knob made from vermeil (gold plated sterling silver)
Model | Production Period | Nib |
---|---|---|
M450 | 1998-2001 2004-2006 |
18 ct gold nib |
Weight | Total Length | Barrel Length | Cap Length | Diameter | Ink Capacity |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
0.83 oz | 4.92 in | 4.02 in | 2.24 in | 0.46 in | 1.30 ml |
23.6 g | 125 mm | 102 mm | 57 mm | 11.7 mm |
For a good exchange the forum The Fountain Pen Network - FPN.