I don't know if it's been mentioned here or not but there's a new series on AMC called TURN, the untold story of Americas first spy ring. For history buffs like me it's a real treat to watch and there's been a few scenes on the first 2 installments that involve a Connecticut tavern and of course, clay tavern pipes and some pipesmoking. Personally, I've never tried a clay pipe but have seen and handled them back when my B&M actually stocked them and I guess a few people bought them and used them for taste testing or perhaps living history demos.
It's my understanding that in colonial times the pipes were left on tavern tables and if a person was so inclined they just broke the end off thereby providing a somewhat sanitary stem in which to smoke their tobacco. I would imagine that you'd have to score around the circumference of the stem and then snap it off so as to get a clean break? When the pipe got too short to hold onto, it was chucked into the hearth I suppose. Has anyone been watching the show and do we have any clay pipe enthusiasts that can tell me if I'm on target in my assessment on how they were smoked?
It's my understanding that in colonial times the pipes were left on tavern tables and if a person was so inclined they just broke the end off thereby providing a somewhat sanitary stem in which to smoke their tobacco. I would imagine that you'd have to score around the circumference of the stem and then snap it off so as to get a clean break? When the pipe got too short to hold onto, it was chucked into the hearth I suppose. Has anyone been watching the show and do we have any clay pipe enthusiasts that can tell me if I'm on target in my assessment on how they were smoked?
