GBD 269 Virgin Bulldog

[ssjones]

I've slowly been adding Virgin grade GBD's to my collection and I just finished this Shape 269, an oversized bulldog.

The pipe was in great shape, save for an oxidized stem and some build-up on the bowl top. The seller said he had owned it for over 45 years and was recently advised to stop smoking. I assured him this one would be restored and enjoyed.

The full restoration details are here:

https://rebornpipes.com/2017/05/31/gbd-269-virgin-bulldog-restoration/
Before

Finished

 

[agnosticpipe]

Man, that's a nice Bulldog Al. Looks like it will fit right in your collection. Congrats on the great restoration!

 

[ashdigger]

Nice, very nice. We all know you prefer bent pipes...... so cough it up. I only smoke straight pipes. Do I need to spell it out?

 

[londonmake]

excellent Al!

You know how to get that crisp stemface.

 

[papipeguy]

Classic and beautiful. Al. Much to like there.

 

[randelli]

Oohhh nice!

 

[ssjones]

Thanks guys! @ashdigger - I hear you, but a buddy already put dibs on this one should it not work for me. After finishing it, I just couldn't let it go.
A couple of observations on Virgin pipes:

- some have the bullet style tenon (this one does). All but one of my Virgin pipes has the round tenon.

- many of those are stamped "Hand Cut" (this one is not)

- All stems stamped "Hand Cut", regardless of their grade, have the round tenon. (at least all the ones that I have seen)
Mike Hagley says the round tenons came into use in the 1940's - 1950's and possibly the 1960's.

I wonder what evaluation or considerations were used to determine which ones were stamped "Hand Cut"?

 

[madox07]

Very nice pipe !!! :puffpipe:

 

[didimauw]

Wow, 45 years of use, and that thing still looked great! He obviously loved that pipe. Must be a good smoker. Great job on the restore!