Rare (maybe unique?) Dunhill #475

georged · Oct 13, 2017

The nomenclature on this pipe clearly says 1943. That it's mid-war production makes it scarce. That it has a rubber stem instead of horn makes it scarcer still (though it could be a post-war factory retrofit). That the shank is longer and thinner than a normal/standard #475---and the stamping is there instead of the bottom of the bowl---makes it downright strange.
In 40+ years of collecting I've never seen another "long shanked" 475 in any finish, or met anyone who has.
All info & guesses as to what might be going on here are welcome. (Baker Street Irregulars, start your engines... :lol: )

tridens · Oct 13, 2017

That's a very cool pipe, George! I've never seen one, but then again, I'm pretty new to the hobby.
There's one more cool thing about it: If I read Loring correctly, the "27" would make this pipe one of the very last to bear such a stamp.

tridens · Oct 13, 2017

A random speculation:
Maybe the shop didn't have a supply of no. 24 Inner Tubes on hand and directed its maker to produce pipes to accommodate some remaining no. 27 Inner Tubes?
It was 1943 and aluminum was a strategically important metal. Supplies could have been spotty.

doctorbob · Oct 13, 2017

THAT... THAT is a gorgeous, stunning pipe. That blast, those lines, I admit i am filled with covetous envy, and that is unusual for me. Cherish that one, if you ever want to sell it, put me on your list!

georged · Oct 13, 2017

THAT... THAT is a gorgeous, stunning pipe. That blast, those lines, I admit i am filled with covetous envy, and that is unusual for me. Cherish that one, if you ever want to sell it, put me on your list!

Found the Britwood fan! :mrgreen:
I'm glad you like it, Doc. (Smokes like a champ, too!)
I've been pretty sick the past few weeks and am using the forum + my camera to get back to Doin' Stuff.
As long as oxidized stems (in many cases) and a recently-smoked-look don't get me in too much trouble around here, there are plenty where that pipe came from. So I guess I'll post some more in the coming days.

danielplainview · Oct 13, 2017

The fact that it isn’t a horn stem makes it rare? Since you’re in a pic posting mood, I’d like to a horn stem Dunny. Btw, if you would’ve sent that to george... the stem connection would be perfecto.

dmcmtk · Oct 13, 2017

The 475 Friendly shape from the 1938 Dunhill About Smoke,

jeremiah · Oct 13, 2017

That's a real cracker jack, George. It would be one of your old Dunhills that makes me write my first post.
S/F,

Jeremiah

dmcmtk · Oct 13, 2017

What we seem to see are different variations of the shape, with variations of the roundness of the bottom, versus the flat bottomed 475. A 479 from John Loring,

And a 480 with what looks like a less rounded bottom than the Loring example,

More of the 480 here,
http://yeoldebriars.com/dunhill015.html

georged · Oct 14, 2017

Now I'm more confused than ever.
That catalog page clearly shows the "long shank" 475---and presumably it was the only version made at the time---but, as I said before, I've never seen but the one I own. Nor has anyone else in several decades of asking around.
Curiouser and curiouser...
Hold on. I think the explanation just hit me. Dunhill varied the shank length a bit on all their pipes, adjusting overall length by tweaking the stem. (Overall length for a model is always on within a couple millimeters). Maybe this is just an extreme example. Enough that it looks like a different version.
That doesn't account for the stamping placement, but maybe that was just policy too: If there's room, always use the shank.

disinformatique · Oct 14, 2017

Pipes aside, take care of your health first George. I think I found a reason to challenge you for a duel for that coveted long-shanked beauty !!
Cheers,

Chris :puffpipe:

newbroom · Oct 14, 2017

The year of your pipe makes it most interesting to me.

Why? Besides learning about pipes and tobacco here, I've 'met' a few of the participants via messages and the usps, and even a skype call or two, so that the personal connections develop that contribute to life's enjoyments.
One of those with whom I've become friendly, has asked me to keep my eyes opened for a Dunhill in the 1943 year of production, ya, his birth year.

I'm not sure that pipe would be his first choice, but from what I've gleaned, they're hard to find at all.
As for myself, the pipe you've shown looks like it would fit into my rotation without a hitch.
Feel better soon, George, I appreciate your contributions and opinions.

doctorbob · Oct 14, 2017

Sorry to hear you weren't well, here's wishing a return to continued good health!
War pipes, as you know, are quite rare. I have a '44 shape 114 Bing. The bowl appears to have been reamed with a pen-knife, but the stamps are crisp and clean. It also has a vulcanite stem that has all the appearance of a genuine Dunnie.
Doc

huntertrw · Oct 14, 2017

As a rule I do not care for the poker shape, but this one is entrancing.

dmcmtk · Oct 14, 2017

Whenever I see the 475 Friendly, it makes me think of this pipe from the early 1960's. Larsen 107 by Sven Knudsen. An example of how pipemakers like Sven and Sixten Ivarsson were re-imagining classic, traditional English shapes during the Early Danish Modern period. Also, this pipe is an example of exactly what George says, "...adjusting overall length by tweaking the stem. (Overall length for a model is always on within a couple millimeters)."

Rare (maybe unique?) Dunhill #475

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