Soooo... if I have this right, the gourd has a Meer liner, which it looks like the previous owner of my pipe was using as the tobacco chamber, but there could be another Meerschum piece that fits inside this with the characteristic overhanging edge of a calabash-style pipe that is the real bowl/tobacco chamber....? If so, wonder how this missing piece stays attached. Epoxy or something?
Sable, just got down to the end of the Barlings thread and see what you mean by the silver cap. Going to measure up my Meer and see if the cup and bowl thing is also an option. Likely an easier fix than custom silver work, as there do appear to be some pre-made options per the link kindly supplied above.