Montblanc 126S Chased Meisterstück

Why it exists

The 126S belongs to the early Meisterstück lineage at its most architectural: the large pen format, with the 'S' suffix denoting chased hard rubber construction — a guilloché-like pattern worked into the ebonite surface. It is one of the most character-rich executions of the line, made when Montblanc still built its flagships from hand-finished hard rubber.

Why it matters

Large-format pens were already a scarce category in the 1930s; the chased surface places this example in rarer company still. Chased ebonite variants of the 12x series were produced only briefly — a period of approximately three years, 1935–1938 — before the configuration disappeared from the programme. A Big Size chased Meisterstück therefore stands well beyond the standard offerings of its era.

Why it is rare

Time is unkind to chased ebonite: on most surviving examples the pattern has flattened under decades of handling. Here the chasing remains deep and clearly defined across the surface — a state of preservation rarely seen. The knob imprints '126S' and 'EF' are ultra deep and crisp, of New Old Stock quality, and the cap-top imprint Montblanc–Meisterstück remains clearly readable, an increasingly uncommon survival.

How it survived

Near Mint, with minor signs of use on the lower barrel and knob, and gentle yellowing at the star's edges — a natural characteristic of passing time, occasionally seen on 1930s Montblanc pieces. The flexible 14C EF nib is a smooth writer, tested with light pressure; the push-knob system works fully and holds ink perfectly. Professionally serviced and in full writing order.