Pelikan 120

The Pelikan 120 was a standard school fountain pen in the 1950/60's. The Pelikan 120 has a gold-plated steel nib with several nib widths available. The serial number is engraved on the barrel (e.g. J99340), to make each pen clearly identifiable for its owner. However, there are also copies with no such number.

In 1958 Pelikan launched an advertising campaign, each student got a blue-gold pin badge for sending the serial number of his school pen to Pelikan.

Model Production Period Nib
120 1955-1965

Steel nib, gold plated

Weight Total Length Barrel Length Cap Length Diameter Ink Capacity
0.49 oz 4.92 in 3.74 in 2.36 in 0.47 in 1.5 ml
14.0 g 125 mm 95 mm 60 mm 12 mm


120

120 Green-Black Series Production Color
Production: 1955-1965Nib: Steel nib, gold plated Leaflet: DeutschLink opens PDF documentPelikan Hauptpreisliste 90 / 1955 DeutschLink opens PDF documentPelikan Hauptpreisliste 110 / 1963
Logo: Logo as of 1938 (two chicken) Series Production
Barrel Color: greenCap Color: blackTrim: gold plated
120 Demonstrator Prototype Color Details
 Nib: 14 ct (?)
Logo: Logo as of 1938 (two chicken) Prototype
Barrel Color: transparentCap Color: blackTrim: gold plated

The cap inscription indicates the model 120, but the 14 carat gold nib suggesting a Pelikan 140. Because of the cap engraving Prüfstelle >>test center<<, I assume a model 120.

Pelikan 120 Deskpen

The 120 Deskpen was probably produced or revised at Pelikan Milano (Italy). Companies gave Deskpens to their employees giving the advantage, that it was not possible to take the pen away by mistake.

The 120 Deskpen is actually a standard 120, with two changes:

  1. instead of the round cap top a brass finial with threaded holes for the mounting mechanism had been installed.
  2. The piston knob was replaced by an extension.

    However, in contrast to other Deskpens this model´s cap is still threaded so the pen must be screwed into its mounting.

Model Production Period Nib
120 Deskpen

Steel nib, gold plated

Weight Total Length Barrel Length Cap Length Diameter Ink Capacity
0.62 oz 7.44 in 6.22 in 2.37 in 0.47 in 1.5 ml
17.7 g 189 mm 158 mm 60.1 mm 12 mm


120 Deskpen

120 Deskpen Green-Black Low vol. Production Color
 Nib: Steel, gold plated
Logo: Without Logo Low vol. Production
Barrel Color: greenCap Color: blackTrim: gold plated

Pelikan 120 (Merz & Krell)

Pelikan had already discontinued the production of the 120 in 1965. In 1973 a new edition appeared. This was manufactured by Merz & Krell and differs in some details from the original model. The filling knob is flush with the barrel as is the transition from the grip section to the barrel. The cap ring is tapered.

Merz & Krell also produced the model 120 in black, a color not being produced by Pelikan before.

The threads of the cap are also different, so the cap of an old 120 will not fit the M & K.


Model Production Period Nib
120 Merz & Krell 1973-1977

Steel nib

Weight Total Length Barrel Length Cap Length Diameter Ink Capacity
0.49 oz 5.16 in 3.94 in 2.48 in 0.47 in 0.65 ml
14 g 131 mm 100 mm 63 mm 12 mm


120 (Merz & Krell)

120 (Merz & Krell) M&K Green-Black Series Production Color
Production: 1973-1977Nib: Steel nib
Logo: Without Logo Series Production
Barrel Color: greenCap Color: blackTrim: gold plated
120 (Merz & Krell) M&K Black Series Production Color
Production: 1973-1977Nib: Steel nib
Logo: Without Logo Series Production
Barrel Color: blackCap Color: blackTrim: gold plated
120 (Merz & Krell) M&K Green-Black-Striped Prototype Color Details
Production: 1973Nib: Steel nib
Logo: Without Logo Prototype
Barrel Color: greenCap Color: blackTrim: gold plated

The model presented here is rare and according to research unknown. It is believed that this is a limted production.

Note - Special Edition M120N

A retro edition of the 120 is shown in 2016 as Special Edition the new model M120N.

Please compare these pens.

goto Pelikan M120N Special Edition

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