General
The Pelican 400NN fountain pen range was made in Germany and also apparently in Italy sometime between 1957, when the 400NN was introduced and 1964 after which the design of its nib changed very slightly. Our own Pelican 400NN in Black with Green stripes has the older style 14k gold (Au585) No.6 nib in EF size of 0.43mm. Our feed, circa 50 years later is still flawless, without any hard-rubber oxidation and broken or missing ebonite fins.
Features
The most popular 400NN colours were: Green Striped (1956-1965), Tortoise Brown Striped (1956-1965), Black Striped (1956-1965), Jet Black (1956-1965), followed by Pelikan 400NN export models: Grey Striped (1957-1961), Green/Green Striped, Light Tortoise (1957-1960). There was also little known 400NN Clear Transparent model. The 400NN is a midsize fountain pen and it is long enough to be used without posting. The 400NN feels well balanced with its cap posting relatively deep on the barrel. The maintenance of the older models is straightforward with perhaps the one exception of the old piston removal job, which is another story.
Comment
The Pelikan 400NN is a definite excellent classic pen, available with just about any nib size choice and colour option. The current production of Pelikan M400 range of fountain pens can still be purchased today, but at relatively high price. Certainly, the majority of its classic models are cheaper to buy and then are often 100% useable and serviceable.
Ink used: Parker Quink Blue-Black, France/UK
