Damage to the lower bowl of a Britannia

Bulldog · Jul 7, 2015

This is a Britannia billiard that I bought new about a year and half ago. It has smoked well; however, there have always been some very minor imperfections in the pipe's finish. I overlooked any cosmetic issues until this morning when I noticed a curved chip on the surface of the lower bowl. Is anyone aware of issues with the longevity of the modern Britannia pipes? It wasn't the most expensive pipe, but I have really enjoy it, proverbial lumps and all. If this is my fault, and I am perfectly willing to concede that I am capable of inadvertently abusing pipes, I am at a loss as to how I did this. Overheating the bowl perhaps?

Bulldog · Jul 7, 2015

seacaptain · Jul 7, 2015

Pic is too small to see clearly.

Bulldog · Jul 7, 2015

rcstan · Jul 7, 2015

Looks like a fill has popped out ....

mso489 · Jul 7, 2015

My Britannia bent Dublin with a twin-bore stem is several years old and has had no problems. It does appear that a fill has lightened on yours and maybe popped out. I don't know if the bowl is in the process of burning out a hole, or if it's just the fill. Do a thorough cleaning of the inside of the pipe without digging out any briar. If there is any sign of burning into the bowl, you might want to send it to a pipe repair person for a rescue. Or you can do a pipe mud patch and take your chances.

Bulldog · Jul 8, 2015

Thank you both for the idea that it could be a "fill" (I do not see any other evidence of a burnout in the bowl). This morning I read Russ Ouellette's 2012 article on the topic, "Pits, Fills, and Flaws", it provided some good background information on the topic.

rcstan · Jul 8, 2015

Fills "pop out" over time, mostly from mechanical "stimulation".....basically knocking the wax or shellac off the surface of the pipe by buffing or dropping. If the area turns black and there's a corresponding area of charring inside the chamber, then you know that pipe is on its way out. They start tasting funny too if you smoke Virginias .....

gloucesterman · Jul 24, 2015

Fills usually are used to fix a surface flaw. It doesn't always indicate that the pipe will burn out. You can refill the flaw with a mixture of briar sanding dust and CA glue and then sand it down and re-stain. If you like the pipe it might be worth the effort. There are a number of posts by Dave in the repair section that are good guides if you're interested.

Search

Search

Damage to the lower bowl of a Britannia

Log in

SmokingPipes.com Updates

PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor

Site Sponsors

PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor

PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor

PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor

PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor

Bulldog

Starting to Get Obsessed

Bulldog

Starting to Get Obsessed

seacaptain

Lifer

Bulldog

Starting to Get Obsessed

rcstan

Lifer

mso489

Lifer

Bulldog

Starting to Get Obsessed

rcstan

Lifer

gloucesterman

Lifer