Holy smokes, what a find. I'm in the tobacco belt (N.C.) and it seems all the pipe smokers were soon addicted to cigarettes, almost nothing in pipes at flea markets, junk shops, antique shops, etc. So I am especially impressed. All my (well-loved) American factory pipes are from contemporary inventory. That stinger is not a bad thing at all. Mostly I just remove stingers, label them, and store them, but my Kaywoodie Drinkless Ruf-Tone smokes like a champ, the only stinger pipe I use, and does nicely indeed.