--- title: "Pelikan Souverän M800: Size, Nib and Piston Filler" canonical: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/pelikan-souveran-m800/" description: "Pelikan Souverän M800 explained: 14.1 cm and 28.2 g, an 18-carat gold nib, the piston filler, Black-Green stripes, M800 vs M400 and M1000, and where it's made." category: "Pens" type: "Fountain pen" published: 2026-10-23 updated: 2026-10-28 author: "Ellis Penhale" publisher: "Stationery Times" sources: 7 products: - name: "Pelikan Souverän M800 Fountain Pen (Black-Green)" brand: "Pelikan" brand_origin: "Germany" made_in: "Germany" material: "Green-striped cellulose acetate barrel, black precious resin parts, 24-carat gold-plated clip and rings, 18-carat (750) gold nib with rhodium decoration (per Pelikan)" released: "1987" price_band: "$$$$ (over $75 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count), typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "Pelikan Group GmbH (Germany), owned by Hamelin since December 13, 2023" model: "Souverän M800" url: "https://www.pelikan-passion.com/de/writing/premium/souveraen/souveraen-r-800-schwarz-gruen.html" --- # Pelikan Souverän M800: Size, Nib and Piston Filler > The Pelikan Souverän M800 is Pelikan's large piston-filling fountain pen, introduced in 1987. Pelikan lists it at 14.1 cm capped and 28.2 g, with an 18-carat gold nib in EF, F, M or B, a striped cellulose acetate barrel and gold-plated trim. It is made and assembled in Germany and sits in our $$$$ band. - URL: https://stationerytimes.com/guides/pelikan-souveran-m800/ - Category: Pens - Author: Ellis Penhale - Published: 2026-10-23 - Updated: 2026-10-28 ![Capped Pelikan Souverän M800 in Black-Green drawn to scale at 14.1 cm, with an inset of the 18-carat gold nib](https://stationerytimes.com/images/raster/pelikan-souveran-m800-16x9.png) *The M800 Black-Green capped, 14.1 cm (drawn at 1 mm = 5 px).* Original drawing (SVG): . Drawings © 2026 Stationery Times, reusable with credit under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). ## Product facts | Product | Brand | Brand origin | Made in | Material | Released | Price range (typical US retail, October 2026) | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | Pelikan Souverän M800 Fountain Pen (Black-Green) | Pelikan (by Pelikan Group GmbH (Germany), owned by Hamelin since December 13, 2023) | Germany | Germany | Green-striped cellulose acetate barrel, black precious resin parts, 24-carat gold-plated clip and rings, 18-carat (750) gold nib with rhodium decoration (per Pelikan) | 1987 | $$$$: over $75 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count) | - Made in (Pelikan Souverän M800 Fountain Pen (Black-Green)): Germany. Pelikan's German product page for the Souverän 800 Schwarz-Grün says "Gefertigt und montiert in Deutschland" (made and assembled in Germany); read October 23, 2026. Source: https://www.pelikan-passion.com/de/writing/premium/souveraen/souveraen-r-800-schwarz-gruen.html ### Pelikan Souverän M800 Fountain Pen (Black-Green) colors - Body colors (4 standard, 0 special edition): Black; Black-Red; Black-Blue; Black-Green. - Per Pelikan (International) (https://www.pelikan-passion.com/int/writing/premium/souveraen/souveran-800-black-green.html), checked 2026-10-24. The 800 colors from Pelikan's series list; the 805 versions there (Black-Silver, Black-Blue, Stresemann) are separate models with silver-colored trim. Tints were sampled from Pelikan's product photos: striped barrel first, black cap second. Shops stock different colors; check the listing. ## Key takeaways - Pelikan's German site lists the M800 at 14.1 cm (5.6 in) capped and 28.2 g, almost twice the 14.9 g of an M400. - It has an 18-carat (750) gold nib with rhodium decoration in 4 widths: EF, F, M and B. - A differential piston fills the barrel directly; Larry Post lists about 1.35 ml of ink. - Pelikan's Perch dates the M800's debut to the Frankfurt Spring Fair of 1987, when it came with a 14-carat nib until 1990. - Pelikan's product page says "Gefertigt und montiert in Deutschland": made and assembled in Germany. ## What is the Pelikan Souverän M800? **It is Pelikan's large piston-filling fountain pen, with an 18-carat gold nib and the green-striped barrel Pelikan is known for.** Pelikan's German page lists it at 14.1 cm (5.6 in) capped and 28.2 g. Pelikan's Perch, a Pelikan history site, says the M800 was first shown at the Frankfurt Spring Fair of 1987, as a bigger pen above the M400 and M600 of the time. ## Pelikan M800 specs | Spec | Value | |---|---| | Maker | Pelikan, Germany | | Model | Souverän M800, Black-Green (Schwarz-Grün) | | Nib | 18-carat (750) gold, rhodium decoration | | Nib widths | EF, F, M, B | | Filling | Differential piston | | Capacity | About 1.35 ml (Larry Post) | | Barrel | Striped cellulose acetate; black parts in precious resin | | Trim | 24-carat gold-plated clip and rings | | Length | 14.1 cm (5.6 in) capped | | Weight | 28.2 g | All from Pelikan's German product page except the capacity. Pelikan Austria's size table gives 14.2 cm and a 13.1 mm diameter. ## How does the M800 compare with other Souverän sizes? **It is the second-largest Souverän and almost twice as heavy as the M400.** ![Pelikan Souverän sizes drawn to scale: M300 11.0 cm, M400 12.7 cm, M600 13.4 cm, M800 14.2 cm and 28.2 g, M1000 14.7 cm](https://stationerytimes.com/images/pelikan-souveran-m800-sizes.svg) *Pelikan's Souverän sizes, M800 highlighted.* | Model | Length | Diameter | Weight | |---|---|---|---| | M400 / M405 | 12.7 cm (5.0 in) | 11.7 mm | 14.9 g | | M600 | 13.4 cm (5.3 in) | 12.4 mm | 16.4 g | | M800 / M805 | 14.2 cm (5.6 in) | 13.1 mm | 28.2 g | | M1000 | 14.7 cm (5.8 in) | 14.1 mm | 32.6 g | From Pelikan Austria's FAQ. Our [Pelikan Souverän M400](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/pelikan-souveran-m400/) guide covers the smaller pen. ## How does the piston filler work? **Turn the black knob at the end and a piston inside the barrel draws ink straight from the bottle.** Pelikan calls it a differential piston mechanism: Pelikan's Perch explains that two thread pitches move the piston faster than the knob turns. There are no cartridges or converters. Pelikan's [4001 Royal Blue](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/pelikan-4001-royal-blue/) is the house ink, though any fountain pen ink works. ## Which nib should you choose? **F or M suits most everyday writing; Western widths like Pelikan's run broader than Japanese ones.** The 18-carat nib comes in EF, F, M and B, per Pelikan. Pelikan's Perch notes that 1987 to 1990 pens had 14-carat nibs, which some collectors seek out. ## How does the M800 compare with the Montblanc 149? **Both are German piston fillers with 18-carat gold nibs, but the M800 is smaller and lighter.** Montblanc fits the Meisterstück 149 with an Au750 (18K) nib, and the 149 dates to 1952, 35 years before the M800. | | Pelikan M800 | [Montblanc 149](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/montblanc-meisterstuck-149/) | |---|---|---| | Nib | 18-carat (750) gold | Au750 (18K) gold | | Filling | Differential piston | Piston | | First year | 1987 (Pelikan's Perch) | 1952 (Montblanc) | | Made in | Germany | Germany | | Price band | $$$$ | $$$$ | The 149 is the classic status gift; the M800 is the one our luxury roundup picks for most buyers, on its specs. ## Which M800 colors can you buy? **Pelikan's German site lists four 800 colors and three 805 versions.** The 800, with gold-plated trim, comes in Black, Black-Red, Black-Blue and Black-Green; the 805, with silver-colored trim, in Black-Silver, Black-Blue and Stresemann. Pelikan also issues M800 special and limited editions in other colors, so retailer stock varies; our [Pelikan limited and special editions](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/pelikan-limited-special-editions/) guide lists them by year, with the sizes Pelikan states. The Black-Green is the color Pelikan's Perch and most retailers treat as the classic. ## How popular is the M800 in the US? **It is one of the most recommended high-end fountain pens, and our [best luxury pens](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/best-luxury-pens/) pick for most buyers.** One Amazon.com listing for the Green Stripe had 65 ratings on October 23, 2026. It sits in our $$$$ band, over $75. Pelikan's Perch notes that owners commonly call its US price high. ## Where is the Pelikan M800 made? **In Germany.** Pelikan's product page says "Gefertigt und montiert in Deutschland": made and assembled in Germany. For the company's story, see our [Pelikan history](https://stationerytimes.com/stories/pelikan-history/). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is the Pelikan M800 worth it over the M400? If you like a big, heavy pen, often yes: Pelikan's table puts the M800 at 14.2 cm and 28.2 g against 12.7 cm and 14.9 g for the M400, and it has an 18-carat nib to the M400's 14-carat. Smaller hands often prefer the M400. ### What is the difference between the Pelikan M800 and M805? Mainly the trim: Pelikan sells the 805 versions, such as Schwarz-Silber, with silver-colored trim, and its size table gives both the same 14.2 cm length and 28.2 g weight. ### How much ink does a Pelikan M800 hold? About 1.35 ml, according to Larry Post's listing. That is roughly what a long international cartridge holds, filled straight into the barrel by the piston. ### What colors does the Pelikan M800 come in? Pelikan's German site lists the 800 in Black, Black-Red, Black-Blue and Black-Green, and the 805 in Black-Silver, Black-Blue and Stresemann, plus limited and special editions. ### Is the Pelikan M800 made in Germany? Yes. Pelikan's product page says it is made and assembled in Germany. ### Does the M800 post? The cap posts on the piston knob, but at 28.2 g and 14.1 cm closed many owners write unposted to keep it balanced. ## Sources - [Pelikan (German): SOUVERÄN 800 Schwarz-Grün (14,1 cm, 28,2 g, 18-Karat/750 nib, differential piston, made and assembled in Germany; read October 23, 2026)](https://www.pelikan-passion.com/de/writing/premium/souveraen/souveraen-r-800-schwarz-gruen.html) - [Pelikan (International): Souverän 800 Black-Green and series list (800 and 805 colors)](https://www.pelikan-passion.com/int/writing/premium/souveraen/souveran-800-black-green.html) - [Pelikan Austria (German): FAQ, Füllhaltergrößen im Vergleich (Souverän size table)](https://www.pelikan.com/de-at/service-osterreich/faq-osterreich.html) - [The Pelikan's Perch: Pelikan M800 History Explored (Frankfurt Spring Fair 1987; 14C nib until 1990)](https://thepelikansperch.com/2020/11/15/pelikan-m800-history-explored/) - [Larry Post: Pelikan Souverän M800 fountain pen (about 1.35 ml)](https://www.larrypost.com.au/collections/larrypost/products/pelikan-souveran-m800-fountain-pen-black-gold-trim) - [Fritz Schimpf: Pelikan Souverän M800 Kolbenfüllhalter Schwarz-Grün](https://www.fritz-schimpf.de/en/Brands/Pelikan/Pelikan-Souveraen-M800-Kolbenfuellhalter-M-Medium-Schwarz-Gruen-oxid.html) - [Amazon.com: Pelikan M800 Fountain Pen, Green Stripe (65 ratings on October 23, 2026)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002MT028M)