Little Old Pipe Stamped "Cafe" ?

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metarzan

Part of the Furniture Now
Nov 14, 2012
608
117
Picked up this pipe today from an antique dealer for $3 and I have no idea on it's age or the maker. I have been keeping an eye out for smaller bowled pipes and I really dig the lines on this one. The briar is about 2.5" and the stem 4.5" for a total of 7" but the bowl is only 9/16" across the chamber and I can't fit to reach the bottom with my pinky. Not sure on stem material but zero bite marks. The finish is about half gone and should be easy to remove the rest and stain a similar color. I think this one will restore nicely so let these photos serve as the "before" pics. The only markings I can find on the pipe anywhere is the word "CAFE". Not much to go on and my searches have turned up nothing. Pipe looks vaguely familiar and probably just a cheapo but any info on the maker appreciated.
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metarzan

Part of the Furniture Now
Nov 14, 2012
608
117
Lucky for me the pipe was not too dirty because the chamber is so small that my smallest reamer will only make it about halfway down. Bowl came out pretty clean but is now sitting with salt/alcohol I can already see a bit of leaching. When done there I will strip the old finish, pick a stain and get it ready to buff. Cleaned out stem with alcohol, buffed first round of oxidation with Barkeepers Friend and it is now soaking in an OxyClean bath. Few hours max in there, more Barkeepers and then ready for buffing wheels. Have 9 other restores in the works but want to squeeze out this little guy first. The larger ring on the stem where it meets the shank face looks so familiar...

 

mso489

Lifer
Feb 21, 2013
41,210
60,433
You're bringing this one back from a long way, in terms of time and condition. It looks like someone refinished it with

something unsuitable, like paint. I wonder if the stem is Vulcanite or something else. Looks like a little mass produced

working guy's pipe. It might have some surprises in it. Cafe means nothing to me. BC has a Bistro pipe, but I don't think

even that is a historical series.

 

metarzan

Part of the Furniture Now
Nov 14, 2012
608
117
Any test to determine stem material? The stem oxidation cleaned up in the same manner as vulcanite. Took a lot of scrubbing to get to the bottom of it but it is cherry now, no teeth marks to fill in. Decided on going with black stain for two reasons. Main reason is to match a black Sav Churchwadren that needs a little brother. Second is I don't have to remove previous stain perfectly, but it is pretty good already. Still no other clues other than "Cafe"...

 

metarzan

Part of the Furniture Now
Nov 14, 2012
608
117
Well for better or for worse this is the final product, whatever this product may be... Matches the proper CW just fine for my liking. Still need to beeswax the stem a bit, not snug enough for me after cleaning away all of the grime that held it into place. Might give it a few bowls and see if it tightens up, might heat it a bit.
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