Calabash
If I'm interpreting the hallmarks correctly (WH - anchor, lion, M) it was made in Birmingham, England in 1911 by William Harrison. What I'm confused about - is he the silversmith or the pipe maker or both? I'm curious who made it/sold it originally. If anyone knows anything else about this pipe specifically or this style in general it would be greatly appreciated.
More importantly, in my recent research I've discovered that these pipes were sometimes made with asbestos bowls?!? That would be an interesting fact to know, as I've already smoked this one several times. It doesn't look like the asbestos bowls I saw googling around, seems harder than meerschaum, hopefully plaster. If it is, how safe is THAT to smoke? It'd be a shame if I had to set this on a shelf, it smokes wonderfully.
One unusual feature (at least it seemed to me) is that the bowl is 1.5" at the top, tapering evenly 1.75" to the bottom. I could fit a lot of tobacco in there if I ever filled it up. Are large bowls like this common for pipes of this style and era? You'd think the shape would make it difficult to smoke, but I've had no problems.
Another is the .5" metal screen I assume is meant to sit in the bowl. It works, but is not attached or press fitted in any way, it easily falls out or shifts if I tip the pipe. Is it possible this isn't original to the pipe?
If I'm interpreting the hallmarks correctly (WH - anchor, lion, M) it was made in Birmingham, England in 1911 by William Harrison. What I'm confused about - is he the silversmith or the pipe maker or both? I'm curious who made it/sold it originally. If anyone knows anything else about this pipe specifically or this style in general it would be greatly appreciated.
More importantly, in my recent research I've discovered that these pipes were sometimes made with asbestos bowls?!? That would be an interesting fact to know, as I've already smoked this one several times. It doesn't look like the asbestos bowls I saw googling around, seems harder than meerschaum, hopefully plaster. If it is, how safe is THAT to smoke? It'd be a shame if I had to set this on a shelf, it smokes wonderfully.
One unusual feature (at least it seemed to me) is that the bowl is 1.5" at the top, tapering evenly 1.75" to the bottom. I could fit a lot of tobacco in there if I ever filled it up. Are large bowls like this common for pipes of this style and era? You'd think the shape would make it difficult to smoke, but I've had no problems.
Another is the .5" metal screen I assume is meant to sit in the bowl. It works, but is not attached or press fitted in any way, it easily falls out or shifts if I tip the pipe. Is it possible this isn't original to the pipe?
