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Pilot Metropolitan Cartridge Compatibility: US 91111, CON-40, and Regional MR Versions
For the US Metropolitan Black Classic Fine, model 91111, buy Pilot fountain-pen cartridges or use a compatible CON-40 for bottled ink. Do not buy Lamy, Platinum or standard-international cartridges for this version. If your pen is sold as a regional MR, check its own refill specification first.
Identify the pen before buying a refill
This site's Metropolitan link selects Black Classic Fine 91111, ASIN B00KRPFD96. The table below applies to that US listing and the Pilot-format ink system. Check your box, original cartridge, instructions and seller model number if you bought elsewhere. A familiar barrel shape is not enough to identify the fitting.
There is a documented regional exception: Pilot's 2024 European catalog describes MR Animal Collection FD-MR2-M as DIN-cartridge compatible. That dated example is not a rule for every MR sold online. For such a pen, ask the seller to confirm the exact cartridge and converter; do not assume a Pilot CON-40 fits.
Compatibility for the linked US version
| Refill | Fits? | Before ordering |
|---|---|---|
| Pilot fountain-pen cartridges | Yes, for the linked US 91111 | Use the Pilot format. The site refill link selects a blue Pilot Namiki pack. |
| Pilot CON-40 | Yes, for bottled ink in the linked US model | Check for a usable converter in your box before ordering another. |
| Pilot CON-70 / CON-70N | No for this model | The larger converter fits some other Pilot bodies, not Metropolitan. |
| Lamy T10 or Platinum cartridges | No | Their cartridge interfaces are different. Do not force a cartridge into the section. |
| Standard-international / DIN cartridges | Not for the linked US 91111 | Some regional MR versions differ; confirm the actual model and instructions first. |
Pilot's compatibility list separates MR/Prera CON-40 support from the larger-converter bodies. Manufacturer information from another region helps identify the system, but does not establish your seller's bundled accessories.
Already supplied, required or optional?
- To start with cartridges: the pen and a compatible cartridge. The linked US listing specifies an ink cartridge; confirm it is present in your package.
- For bottled ink: a compatible converter plus fountain-pen ink. Keep a working converter already supplied instead of buying another automatically.
- Optional: spare cartridges, a different ink color or a new notebook. None is needed just to try a supplied cartridge.
Our starter setups show catalog budget ranges and the converter pack quantity. Use cartridge vs converter if you are deciding which routine fits your day.
Installing a Pilot cartridge
Use Pilot's illustrated use and care guide to check orientation. Unscrew the barrel, hold the section with the nib up and insert the correct cartridge straight into the fitting. Pilot advises against twisting during insertion because the valve may not open. Keep the nib away from the desk and stop if the fitting clearly does not match.
The manufacturer's manual supplies the insertion diagram. We do not have original close-up fitting photographs or an independent dimensional compatibility test to publish here. Do not choose a cartridge solely because its body looks similar to the one shown.
Filling a CON-40 from a bottle
- Protect the surface, remove the barrel and seat the compatible converter in the section.
- Turn the converter knob to move the piston down. Handle a previously inked pen gently to avoid splashes.
- Immerse the nib and the filling intake to the depth illustrated in Pilot's guide, without hitting the bottle with the nib.
- Turn the knob to draw ink, then lift the pen and wipe the nib and section before replacing the barrel.
If the converter draws air, first check seating and immersion. Pilot notes that a bottle with too little remaining ink may not allow a fill. A small air space alone does not prove the converter is defective. Do not turn a filling check into a reason to buy an incompatible larger converter.
If the refill leaks, will not fit or will not write
Stop and compare the pen's actual system with the refill label. Check for a damaged cartridge or a converter that has not seated. Never force the barrel closed over a part that is too long. For a correctly filled pen that still skips, use the skipping checklist. For a converter problem, see not filling or popping out and leaking, and contact the seller within the return period if a new part is faulty.
Buy only the part your setup needs
For a confirmed Pilot-format Metropolitan, a Pilot blue cartridge refill pack keeps the cartridge routine. For bottled ink, the linked CON-40 two-pack supplies two converters; one is enough for one pen. Check the pack price and skip it if your supplied converter works.
If you are choosing a pen rather than a refill, read the Metropolitan buying assessment. This compatibility guide uses manufacturer instructions and selected listings; it is not a new hands-on trial. See the evidence policy.
FAQ
Does Metropolitan take standard-international cartridges?
The US Black Classic Fine 91111 linked here uses Pilot cartridges. Some regional MR models have a different system. Read the model-specific instructions rather than deciding from the MR name or appearance alone.
Can I use a CON-70 in Metropolitan?
No. Pilot lists MR with CON-40, while CON-70 compatibility belongs to other bodies such as Kakuno and Explorer.
Do I need a converter to start?
No when you are using a compatible cartridge. A converter is needed for the usual bottled-ink setup; check whether one is already supplied.
Why does my CON-40 draw mostly air?
Check that it is seated and the nib and filling intake are immersed as shown in Pilot’s instructions. A low ink level in the bottle can prevent a fill. Stop if a part does not fit rather than forcing it.