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Quick answer
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 $$$$ band.
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The M800 Black-Green capped, 14.1 cm (drawn at 1 mm = 5 px).
Green-striped cellulose acetate barrel, black precious resin parts, 24-carat gold-plated clip and rings, 18-carat (750) gold nib with rhodium decoration (per Pelikan)
Released
1987*
Price range
$$$$over $75 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count)
Colors
Black
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Notes on these facts
Made by Pelikan Group GmbH (Germany), owned by Hamelin since December 13, 2023. Made in 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. Price: example listing. Released: Pelikan's Perch says Pelikan presented the M800 at the Frankfurt Spring Fair of 1987 and fitted a 14C-585 nib until March 1990; Pelikan's own page gives no launch year.
Colors: names per Pelikan (International), checked October 24, 2026. 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. Tints are representative, not measured. Shops stock different colors.
Price bands are typical US retail, checked October 2026.
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.
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 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.
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 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 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.
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.
