I picked up this estate Barling on eBay last month. My understanding is that the UK patent number (REG'D 754 068) stamped on the underside of the stem indicates the pipe was made in 1935-49. It's a fairly small pipe (EL), which suits me.
The seller was the daughter-in-law of the pipe's original owner, who died in the mid-70s. I asked if she knew of any stories the pipe might have to tell. She replied that the man who smoked it was a WWII combat veteran. I speculated that he probably bought the pipe in England during or on his way home from the war, and said I'd be pleased to know whatever else about the man she might be willing to share. She graciously responded with the following info and photos:
He served in the US Army in WWII and was stationed over in Europe. His notes tell tales of Normandy, France, Belgium, Germany...and many items were brought back from these areas. I believe he was an officer, a Lieutenant, but have not substantiated that.
I am searching for his military records now, but did discover a diary he started when he left for the war. Here are just a few interesting entries....
Nov 19,1943: Left Camp Gruber in OK by Troop Train
Dec 1, 1943 Boarded ship around 0200: Queen Mary
Dec 9, 1943: Entered the Firth of Clyde, Scotland
Dec 10, 1943: Traveled to post 3 miles from Taunton, England
July 16, 1944: Saw a German plane shot down early this evening
July 17, 1944: Flak fell thru the pup tent next to mine.
Aug 24, 1944 Paris (Pasis) has been taken by the French. Patton keeps moving on S & E of Paris. The stockades are full of prisoners. We are preparing for a move. My body is covered by whelts from bites from little red spiders.
Oct 287, 1945: Alerted for movement from camp to the port LeHauve on 28 Oct. Our ship will be the "Aiken" a victory ship.
Nov 6, 1945: A hurricane last night, seas rough, i took a hard fall.
Nov 7, Pier 17 Staten Island
Nov 11, 1945: Separated at 1100 hours - bus to Harrisburg, PA to meet wife and new son born while away.
I decided take a shot at reconditioning the pipe myself, gently, as I didn't want to want to diminish its character. Started out with spit on Q-tips and cloth. Used a flat-ground pocket knife to lightly scrape some areas that I knew were built-up char. Cotton and elbow-grease weren't cutting it, so I tried something like emery cloth (not sure what it's called) with an extremely soft touch.
The chamber turned out to look completely sound. I'm pretty sure it had been reamed, more or less, once upon a time. There are no gouges, but shallow scrape marks are visible around the bottom that aren't from the tool I used. (Or at least I didn't think I contacted the bottom of the chamber. Probably did though.) In all respects, I'm very pleased with the pipe. It smokes just fine.
The seller was the daughter-in-law of the pipe's original owner, who died in the mid-70s. I asked if she knew of any stories the pipe might have to tell. She replied that the man who smoked it was a WWII combat veteran. I speculated that he probably bought the pipe in England during or on his way home from the war, and said I'd be pleased to know whatever else about the man she might be willing to share. She graciously responded with the following info and photos:
He served in the US Army in WWII and was stationed over in Europe. His notes tell tales of Normandy, France, Belgium, Germany...and many items were brought back from these areas. I believe he was an officer, a Lieutenant, but have not substantiated that.
I am searching for his military records now, but did discover a diary he started when he left for the war. Here are just a few interesting entries....
Nov 19,1943: Left Camp Gruber in OK by Troop Train
Dec 1, 1943 Boarded ship around 0200: Queen Mary
Dec 9, 1943: Entered the Firth of Clyde, Scotland
Dec 10, 1943: Traveled to post 3 miles from Taunton, England
July 16, 1944: Saw a German plane shot down early this evening
July 17, 1944: Flak fell thru the pup tent next to mine.
Aug 24, 1944 Paris (Pasis) has been taken by the French. Patton keeps moving on S & E of Paris. The stockades are full of prisoners. We are preparing for a move. My body is covered by whelts from bites from little red spiders.
Oct 287, 1945: Alerted for movement from camp to the port LeHauve on 28 Oct. Our ship will be the "Aiken" a victory ship.
Nov 6, 1945: A hurricane last night, seas rough, i took a hard fall.
Nov 7, Pier 17 Staten Island
Nov 11, 1945: Separated at 1100 hours - bus to Harrisburg, PA to meet wife and new son born while away.
I decided take a shot at reconditioning the pipe myself, gently, as I didn't want to want to diminish its character. Started out with spit on Q-tips and cloth. Used a flat-ground pocket knife to lightly scrape some areas that I knew were built-up char. Cotton and elbow-grease weren't cutting it, so I tried something like emery cloth (not sure what it's called) with an extremely soft touch.
The chamber turned out to look completely sound. I'm pretty sure it had been reamed, more or less, once upon a time. There are no gouges, but shallow scrape marks are visible around the bottom that aren't from the tool I used. (Or at least I didn't think I contacted the bottom of the chamber. Probably did though.) In all respects, I'm very pleased with the pipe. It smokes just fine.
