These are not the pens you’re looking for…?

It’s a rather small pen, smaller than the M2xx series of Pelikans, though not quite as small as the pocket M3xx Souveräns. It is very light because of its size and the plastic piston, though the ink capacity is relatively huge at 1.18ml. The cap has a subtly embossed double-chick logo on the finial, and the clip is the usual pelican bill. An ink window is tucked away under the cap and can be seen when the cap is unscrewed (as in featured photo above).

The M100 Tradition (to give the proper name) comes in several colours, the most sought-after one of which is the one in white. The black model in rhodium trim was released first, followed by ones in red, blue and green, but unlike the others, the white pen has its trim painted black — very unusual for Pelikan! Even better, the nib is black chromed steel as well. Truly stunning when seen up close, my pictures hardly do it justice.

The white model was released beginning 1987 and the entire M100 line was discontinued in 1997. Mine, being a slightly earlier version, has W.-GERMANY on the cap lip, which features a black trim ring.

What a nib! Laying down a juicy line, there is no flex at all, and while not quite a nail, it is very firm indeed. It feels almost as hard as my carbon-paper manifold Pelikan from the 1950s. And even with all that, it writes so smoothly… it almost makes me wish the modern nibs went all the way with their firmness.

Below: a size comparison of all the Pelikans I own (at end of 2016)!

Update, 10th February 2017: Have since sold the M nib and bought an EF… and it simply glides over paper like a dream!