1970 on
Modern fountain pens
Pens from the decades after the ballpoint took over, when people bought a fountain pen because they wanted one. Resin bodies, cartridge and converter fillers and the long-running flagship lines all belong here, from the Pelikan Souverän and Montblanc's resin Meisterstücks to Pilot's Custom range. Many are still in production, so used ones sit next to new ones on eBay. That's good news for buyers, because a well-kept used example can stand in for a new one, but check the details that changed between generations before you pay for an older one.
13 pens we cover.
Montblanc · 1952–present
PistonMontblanc Meisterstück 149
Precious resin, 1980s
Modern
$525–$775 typical ask
29 on eBay
Montblanc · c. 1968–1978
PistonMontblanc 221
Piston-filling 22x series, 1970s
Modern
$130–$230 typical ask
25 on eBay
Montblanc · 1980s–early 2000s
Cartridge and converterMontblanc Noblesse Oblige
Slim cartridge pen
Modern
$270–$380 typical ask
39 on eBay
Sheaffer · 1976–1998
Cartridge and converterSheaffer Targa 1003
Matte black, gold-plated trim, Classic size
Modern
$110–$200 typical ask
11 on eBay
Pilot · 1992–present
Cartridge and converterPilot Custom 74
14K size 5 nib, cartridge or converter
Modern
$140–$210 typical ask
26 on eBay
Pilot · 2000–present
Plunger (vacuum)Pilot Custom 823
Plunger filler, 14K size 15 nib
Modern
$480–$600 typical ask
27 on eBay
Pilot · 1971–1980
Cartridge and converterPilot MYU 701
Model M-350SS, integral steel nib
Modern
$230–$360 typical ask
28 on eBay
Pilot
Cartridge and converterPilot 78G
Modern
$30–$55 typical ask
12 on eBay
Pelikan · 1982–present
PistonPelikan Souverän M400
Green striped, old-style trim, 1982 to 1997
Modern
$290–$380 typical ask
27 on eBay
Pelikan · 1987–present
PistonPelikan Souverän M800
Black, old-style trim, before 1997
Modern
$500–$750 typical ask
17 on eBay
Pelikan · 1985–present
PistonPelikan M200
Steel nib, old-style trim, 1985 to 1997
Modern
$140–$250 typical ask
27 on eBay
Pelikan · 1985–present
PistonPelikan Souverän M600
Old-style, M400-sized, 1985 to 1997
Modern
$350–$525 typical ask
16 on eBay
Pelikan · 1997–present
PistonPelikan Souverän M1000
Black, two-chick logo, 1997 to 2003
Modern
$900–$1,200 typical ask
26 on eBay