Looking to get into my first Barling:

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settersbrace

Lifer
Mar 20, 2014
1,565
5
As the title suggests I'd like to get a good estate burner and would like some shopping advice. I know there are some serious collectors/smokers here and I'd just like to get some good, up front buying tips if that's possible. Am I looking at $150-$200 to get in the game or does that price range need more wiggle room? What is a an entry level piece to key in on? Pre-transition, transition or post? I'm primarily interested in a pipe that I can have a reasonable amount of expectation concerning the smoking quality as opposed to being a rare or endangered collectors piece. Everything I own, I smoke, I like traditional shapes and mid to large bowls. Any help will be appreciated.

 

sablebrush52

The Bard Of Barlings
Jun 15, 2013
19,637
44,880
Southern Oregon
jrs457.wixsite.com
As with all estates, condition is paramount. An abused estate is not going to be a good pipe regardless of the name stamped on the shank. So pay attention to condition. What size chamber are you looking for? What kind of tobacco will you primarily be smoking?
Barlings can be found in a very wide range of prices, from less than $100 to 4 figures. But lets look at what you're likely to find in the $150-$200 dollar range.
In this price range you're likely to find Family Era pipes in the small to mid sizes, S-M, L, or EL. That translates roughly to group 3-4. My favorite size is the EL (extra large) and those certainly can be found in good condition in this price range. Lerger sizes, EXEL and EXEXEL, tend to go for more, between $250 and $550, depending on the condition, shape, and grade. Those correspond to Group 5 and 6. And certain grades, Special, Guinea Grain, or Straightgrain, or certain shapes like Canadian or Apple, are very collectible and cost more.
Price can also be affected by era. Barling operated their own harvesting and milling operations, unlike other makers, and they looked for very specific wood whose age ranged from 80 to 120 years. But Barling lost their operations in the Algerian War for Independence in 1954, and turned to sourcing briar from anywhere that they could find quality that met their metric. So Barlings made after 1955 use briar from Italy, Greece, Spain, anywhere that they could find the very best wood.
They did such a good job of replacing their original material that nobody can tell the difference. But some collectors are convinced that nothing equals the old Algerian briar and if that's important to you then you're going to be looking for pre 1955 pipes. In that case, look for patent era pipes. The patent was stamped on the underside of the stem. Those pipes were made between 1935 and 1950. In good condition they command a small premium. But even here you can find excellent pipes in your price range in the small to mid sizes.
If you're looking for a large chamber, or a large pot (Barling was famous for its pots) the the price range goes up.
After the family left the business in 1962, quality began to decline. And after 1968 Barlings were made by other factories including Charatan, and the Ogden group. So going for later Barlings, those with model names like Regency, Vintage, or Londoner, may not actually be made by Barling.
How can you tell whether a Corporate Era Barling was made by Barling or by someone else? You have to know the Barling bowl and stem shapes. So it can be a bit of a crap shoot if you don't know the line. But the early script Barling pipes, which have London England under the Barling logo can be very good, and they can be bought for very little money, often less than $100.
Now that I've thoroughly confused you, here's what I suggest. Look for pipes that are stamped "Barling's Make" in block letters with the word "Barling's" arched over the word "Make". Those were made up to the end of 1962. They use wood that was sourced while the family ran the company and were made by the same craftsmen who had been making Barling pipes for decades.
The best buys are a small subset, made for about 6 months in 1962. These pipes have the "Barling's Make" logo but the model numbering system is different. These pipes have a model number that consists of 4 digits with the first digit ranging from 2 thru 6. They're currently classed, mistakenly, as "Transition" pieces and they go for far less than pipes with the old numbering system. The reason for this is collector ignorance. You will find plenty of fine pipes in your price range, including larger sizes. Prices are beginning to rise on these pipes as collectors become more knowledgeable, but there are still plenty of good buys to be found. They are excellent smokers.

 

antbauers

Part of the Furniture Now
Jul 12, 2013
675
0
When it comes to Barling's, you could not have gotten better advice or a better person to have given it. Or pretty much any advice that comes from Jesse.
That last paragraph would do very well to help choosing a pipe with your criteria for a good price.

 

settersbrace

Lifer
Mar 20, 2014
1,565
5
I was kind of counting on Sable to chime in and WOW! You've given me much to digest but I do appreciate the heads up on the '62 series and now at least I can enter the arena with enough info to narrow the field of potential pieces to bid on.
Sable, what are some good on line resources pertaining to the companies history, etc. I know I've read many posts on the forums by you and others that contained detailed chronology. Is Pipedia an accurate resource?

 

dmcmtk

Lifer
Aug 23, 2013
3,672
1,685
Is Pipedia an accurate resource?
Check at the top of the pipedia article for the name of the editor... :wink:
http://www.pipedia.org/wiki/Barling

 

settersbrace

Lifer
Mar 20, 2014
1,565
5
Lol, I suppose I should've looked first and held my tongue. I see the info comes right from the "horses mouth" so to speak. This phase of discovery and research is my favorite part of obtaining a new old pipe. Many thanks to everyone for pointing me down the right path. I'll do some reading and post back with questions I'm sure.

 

sablebrush52

The Bard Of Barlings
Jun 15, 2013
19,637
44,880
Southern Oregon
jrs457.wixsite.com
Is Pipedia an accurate resource?
I am acquainted with the editor of the Barling page, and while he's personally rather charming and debonaire, not to mention knows how to wear a fedora, I wouldn't trust his opinions farther than I could throw a Steinway D.
On the other hand, you can trust me completely.
For a truly excellent article on Barling, check out Jon Guss' article in the "Vintages" section of Roan's "A Passion For Pipes" site. Easily the best article yet published on this maker.

 

neverbend

Starting to Get Obsessed
Apr 20, 2014
230
5
I am acquainted with the editor of the Barling page, and while he's personally rather charming and debonaire, not to mention knows how to wear a fedora, I wouldn't trust his opinions farther than I could throw a Steinway D.
On the other hand, you can trust me completely.
I didn't take you for the fedora type but you must look smashing wearing it and smoking a YOW.
I trust the guy who wrote the Pipedia page on Barling but I don't always tell the truth. I can throw a Steinway any way.
Excellent advice Sablebrush.

 
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