Montblanc - Nº 2 (Third Series / 'M 3' - Ebonite) - Fountain pen

A0000005293

We place up for auction an authentic archaeological legend of global high-end writing collecting: the extremely rare Montblanc No. 3 button-fill fountain pen, manufactured in Germany in the 1930s. Crafted from the legendary early-century black hard rubber (ebonite) and crowned by the historic white star emblem of the brand, this historic piece represents the foundational foundations and the golden age of the firm’s engineering from Hamburg, offering a writing instrument of extraordinary mystique, mechanical complexity, and patrimonial value.

The design of this extremely rare vintage fountain pen is a display of high-fidelity aesthetics and period engineering: its closed body measures about 12.8 cm in length with a stylized diameter of 1.2 cm, delivering unbeatable balance, ergonomics, and lightness in the hand. The cap features the classic vintage gold-plated clip with the firm’s name engraved in relief on the silhouette of Mont Blanc Mountain, preserved in admirable condition. The rear section bears the factory stamp of its identity clearly: "M 3", which certifies that we are looking at a body and mechanism from the original third series, exceedingly hard to find.

But the true heart of this work of art lies behind its rear screw: when you unscrew the tailpiece, the original brass push-button mechanism is revealed. When pressed, it actuates the internal bar that compresses the ink sac, an emblematic system of the 1930s that flawlessly feeds a splendid original Montblanc No. 2 nib made of solid gold 14 carats. This vintage nib features impeccable geometry and a Medium (M) line, offering the flexibility and the liquid flow’s unrivaled intensity of its historic feed.

Authenticity Note: The body of the piece corresponds to model No. 3, carrying a Montblanc No. 2 nib from the same era, a fully functional historical combination and very common in writing instruments of the period that outlived years of service in official workshops. A luxury design landmark destined exclusively for serious collectors.

Condition: Collector’s Rarity / Excellent Historical Condition
The aesthetic, cosmetic, and mechanical condition of this specimen is Excellent for a piece nearly a century old:

Ebony Body and Cap: The enbonite structure retains its original deep black color with a magnificent natural patina, completely free of cracks, splits, or deep scratches. The historic identity engravings on the tailpiece ("M 3") and the cap side ("Montblanc") remain sharp, clean, and perfectly legible.

Gold Details and Nib: The gold-plated clip retains its fixation and historic luster. The solid gold Montblanc No. 2 nib is pristine, with no deformities in the nibs or welds.

Filling Mechanism (Button Filler): By unscrewing the rear section, the push-button operates firmly and functionally. The inner sac has been inspected/replaced to ensure optimal ink suction, allowing the pen to be completely clean and ready to write if its future owner so desires.

Curious Fact for the Collector
For appraisers and experts at Catawiki, button-fill fountain pens of the 1930s Series "No. 3" in ebonite represent one of the most stable, secure, and highest-valuing categories in the international market for exclusive antiques. What makes this lot stand out with extraordinary value is the absolute sharpness of its historic catalog engravings and the perfect functioning of its original brass button, a historic contrast between interwar ebonite and German mechanical sophistication that makes this piece a very high-level investment with a wild bidding ratio at international auctions.

Wishing you the best of luck with your bids and a superb auction to all Catawiki participants!