GBD Fraternal Twins Re-united

As the background ad indicates in 1961 GBD offered French made pipes in two new finishes, the Speciale (smooth) and the Sablee (rusticated). By the good graces of the Pipe Gods I was fortunate enough to find outstanding examples of both. Recently Al Jones gave me a “heads up” on a Speciale which I quickly purchased, only later to discover it was unsmoked. The Sablee I found on Ebay about a year ago and although lightly smoked someone had tried to buff it using jewelers rouge and succeeded in clogging all the rustication with it (Probably a good thing because they stopped before destroying the nomenclature). Multiple cleanings with a tooth brush and some Amish Wood Milk, a final de-gunking of the deep stuff with a dental pick, several coats of carnauba wax and it’s looking new again. This pair of long separated brothers has been re-united. And if that wasn’t enough they’re both 9438 Bent Rhodesians which is my favorite GBD shape. How nice is that?

Al, Don't you wish you could buy them now for $8.50? But in 1961 that was an after tax days pay for a lot of folks.

It's been dreary here for the last couple of days and I don't have an artificial light system. As soon as we get a little sun I post some more pictures.

The St. Claude made 9438 GBD bent Rhodesian have very unique shape unlike most other Rhodesians. It's a short (5")pipe with a broad flat saddle bit and a very stout shank. It has a bowl that's full at the bottom unlike its bulldog cousins. That feature keeps it from getting hot late into the smoke when the bulldog's thin bottom often does. The short length and flat bit make it easily clenched leaving your hands free to do other things. It features a large bowl and a good sized airway so the draw is quite easy and they hold a good load of tobacco. Unfortunately the current GBD 9438 (post Cadogan consolidation, 1981) is not the same pipe. But this type are available in the estate market in reasonable numbers because the style was offered as GBDs, sub brands (Dr.Plumb, City Deluxe and Digby) and were produced for a number of private labels. It's a great smoking pipe with classic lines. Elegant simplicity never goes out of style.

Thanks Al, my days in the corporate marketing department did pay dividends.