Laurin - Pelikan Plant Waiblingen

Except of the cap, the shape of this fountain pen corresponds to the model 854. The cap is made of stainless steel. The clip bears the imprint 'Laurin' on individual fountain pens, others are completely without branding. The nib is made of stainless steel and corresponds to the shape of the model 854. Conspicuous are two different ink feeds: an older with narrow ink supply (see yellow and green model) and a newer, which could provide more pressure due to more fins (see orange model) , Here, too, the nib show the imprint 'Reform IRIDIUM POINT'.

This fountain pen model 854 is often offered as a set (Juego, span.). The second writing instrument is often a ballpoint pen, here e.g. a four-color pen.

The fountain pen has screw cap made of plastic, otherwise no branding, which could point to Laurin. The gold-plated steel nib is flat with bevelled sides and shows an embossed, IRIDIUM POINT 'reform. This is an indication of the manufacturer Mutschler, who has made this fountain pen for Laurin, but has used nibs that are otherwise used for its own brand.

Weight	Total Length	Barrel Length	Cap Length	Diameter	Ink Capacity
0.31 oz	5.21 in	4.37 in	2.44 in	0.42 in	2 x 0,8 ml (cartridge)
8.9 g	132.5 mm	111.0 mm	62.0 mm	10.6 mm

This model with plastic cap is very similar to the model 854. Here, however, all plastic parts are made in the same color. Deviating here, however, the cap is not made of plastic, but made of metal. The ink feed also shows a variant with a narrow ink supply, which indicates the beginning of the 1970s. The nib show the imprint, 'Reform IRIDIUM POINT'.

At first glance, this model is very similar to the model 854. On closer inspection, however, one can see a change in the grip section for the nib retainer. The gold-plated steel nib is now arched, the ink feed adapted to this shape. Here, too, the nib show the imprint 'Reform IRIDIUM POINT'.

In the mid / late 1980s, a series of writing instruments is set up, which is addressed to the youngest with imaginative names and colorful imprints. Fountain pens and, in general, ballpoint pens also bear the names Lolly-Pen, Little Lady, Caroline, Happy Fruits, Stardust, Panda-Pen, Pussy-Cat, Snuffle-Pen, Caramelo, Black Sheep, Super Neón, Graffitti, Silver Star, California, Love Hearts and Corazones.

Laurin Pussy-Cat

The fountain pen model Pussy Cat from the series Fantasía is a simple plastic pen, which is printed on its white barrel two anthropomorphic cat couple and several times the word Pussy-Cat. The barrel end, the grip section and the screw cap are made of pink plastic. Also, the metal clip is painted pink on the top and bears the word Pussy-Cat. The shape of the grip section, ink feed and nib are the same as those of the Model 854, but the nib now has only the IRIDIUM POINT stamping. No other reference to Laurin (or Pelikan) can be found on this fountain pen, only the blister pack bears the imprint Laurin.

In the mid-1980s, Pelikan took over the company Laurin in Waiblingen. Laurin produced youth and school pens in the lower price segment. After this acquisition, these youth pens were produced using the existing injection molds. Only the embossing or imprint on the clip or the cap changed from Laurin to Pelikan. By 2010, the plant in Waiblingen was closed and shortly afterwards the site was sold to an investor.

The example shows a comparison of a Laurin pen before the takeover and an almost identical Pelikan fountain pen after the takeover of the production plants. Only the imprint of the company name on the metal clip has changed.
The modular design of the fountain pen by injection molded parts made possible many small changes in the shape of the pen. The use of various colored injection moldings made it possible to create countless variants. All pens have the same shaped barrel, the same grip section and the same cap sleeve. The barrel's end and / or the end cap could be changed by attaching a hemispherical casting. The metal clip could be replaced by a plastic clip. Between the barrel and the grip, a metal ring or a plastic ring for an loosened look. Also colored nibs were intended to appeal to the then prevailing taste of youth.
All pen models shown here are made prior to 1993.

Weight	Total Length	Barrel Length	Cap Length	Diameter	Ink Capacity
0.25 - 0.27 oz	5.08 / 5.31 / 5.47 in	4.25 / 4.49 in	2.09 / 2.30 in	0.39 in	2 x 0.8 ml (cartridge)
7.1 - 7.6 g	129 / 135 / 139 mm	108 / 114 mm	53 / 58.5 mm	10 mm

These fountain pens from the lower price segment are equipped with permanent nibs (German: Dauerfeder). You are strongly reminded of the fountain pen P120 from the set derived from Pelikan Milan. Deviations from that model are the lack of a decorative ring between the barrel and the grip section, the missing metal crown on the cap end and a small flat at the grip section in front of the nib. Otherwise many parts seem to be from the same moldings. The embossing Pelikan and logo distinguish the otherwise identical flat metal clips.
The fountain pens were found in Bulgaria and Spain.

Weight	Total Length	Barrel Length	Cap Length	Diameter	Ink Capacity
0.30 oz	5.26 in	4.39 in	2.54 in	0.43 in	2 x 0.8 ml (cartridge)
8.6 g	133.5 mm	111.5 mm	64.5 mm	11 mm