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Which features distinguish counterfeits of the Montblanc Kafka edition and how can they be recognised?

Articles from the collector portal Identifying fakes FAQ entry

Of the Montblanc Kafka edition counterfeits have meanwhile turned up as ballpoints and as rollerballs, although the Kafka never existed as an original rollerball. The fakes look comparatively high-quality compared with earlier plagiarisms; the cap top comes quite close to the original and the rollerball also looks well finished at first glance. The engraving of the serial number, on the other hand, is comparatively sloppy: on all known Kafka counterfeits the same serial number 04581/16500 always appears. Two easily checkable distinguishing features are particularly important: on the original parts of the cap and barrel are reddish-translucent, while the fake is not transparent at these points; on the ballpoint this is the only immediately visible criterion. In addition, fundamentally there has never been an original Kafka rollerball. The increasingly better quality of the plagiarisms makes purchase from a specialist dealer the only safe source.

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