3. On the middle band of the cap the evenly spaced lettering for MONTBLANC MEISTERSTUCK is found,  and the letters are etched with lines slanting toward the left (/) diagonally.  The middle cap band should not bulge out overly, and should have one ring above and one below the brand name band.  I have noticed also that the size of the letters on the pen equals the amount of space between the rings on either side of the middle cap band.

2. Montblanc's produced after 1991 should have a serial number etched on them and the word "Germany" on the upper cap ring.  The serial number should begin with two letters and be squarely engraved. Older Montblanc's will not have a serial number, but should have "Germany" on the upper clip ring (There are some earlier Montblanc’s that have neither, but these will typically have the size of the pen and nib size on the heat-pressed into the knob).  Notice that the serial number has been etched into the pen neatly. Fakes tend to have the serial numbers pressed in causing a bubbling, or overdone, effect.

Fake Nibs, See how the gold appears painted on the fake nib on the far left? Note the snow cap on the fake nib to the far right as well...

Authentic Nibs:

5. Look closely at the nib to ensure that if it is two toned, it has not been painted, or otherwise faked.  The Montblanc will not show the white metal/platinum with rough edges protruding over the grooved area where the gold is.  The distinction between the platinum and the gold should be quite crisp and noticeable.  While most Montblanc nibs will have the "M" in the middle, some older nibs do not, and may just say "Montblanc" or even "Monte Rosa." Just because the nib doesn’t have the Montblanc "splat" on it does not mean it isn't an authentic Montblanc nib, but it does offer a jumping off point by which other issues with the pen can be held in perspective. In my experience, all nibs after around 1960 do have the “M” inside the “splat.” Some nibs are gold and platinum, but others are single toned as you can see by the illustration above.

Look closely at these pictures. As you see, on the older Montblanc's (60's & 70's) the word "Germany" is pressed into the band around the top of the pen.  In later models, there should also be a serial number (post 1991?).  Sometimes, the pen may say "made in Germany" (1980's) or even "W-Germany" (around 1990).

4. The nib should NOT say "Iridium" or "Paris" or any such thing. It should have the numbers 4810 and and "M" in the middle, and closer to the section of the pen, the nib should have the name Montblanc engraved directly under the karat indication, and then the number 585 or 750 under the name Montblanc (these numbers denote the gold content: 585 is 58.5% gold content or 14k, and 750 is 18k gold).  Finally, the feeder will align perfectly to center with the tines. (Contrary to what many people think, 4810 is not the name of a particular pen.  Rather, it is the height of Montblanc Mountain after which the company is named. The white snow cap represents the snows on the mountains peak.) 

1.  Shine a flash light through the barrel of the fountain pen.  The black "precious resin" should have a ruby red glow to it.  I have a fake Montblanc "Starwalker" pen, this pen is not translucent under the flashlight test, and when a really bright light is shown through its barrel, then I get a bluish glow at most. Montblanc’s will be ruby red.  This test, along with a close inspection of the nib is, for me, the best way to determine an authentic Montblanc Meisterstück "Precious Resin" fountain pen. In addition to this, I have observed that my Montblanc Meisterstücks will be almost completely translucent if I look at them through a camcorder with "night-shot" turned on. I have a Sony Handycam and If I turn on "night-shot" I can see the entire inner workings of the Montblanc through the barrel of the pen. I tried this with my fake "Starwalker" and I could not see through its barrel, as I could with my other Montblanc pens. If you have a camcorder, try this, it is incredibly interesting!

Look closely at the above pictures and compare them to those below. Notice how the cap bands on the authentic Montblanc’s are not so rounded, and tend to be closer to the cap barrel. Also, notice the distance between the cap bands and the diagonal etched lines.