Irish Briar

[FLDRD]

Some time back I picked up this little nose-warmer at a local B&M, marked only with Irish Briar. Was smoking it yesterday and admiring the grain.

Side profile reminds me of a duck, and the bowl is out of round. But the chamber and drilling are good and it is a good smoker.

Whenever I have the pleasure of having it in hand, I enjoy seeing its grain patterns. For me, that makes this pipe a keeper.

 

[seanv]

It is nice to find a pipe that really clicks with you. Enjoy in good health

 

[Richmond B. Funkenhouser]

Beautiful! What does the whole pipe look like?

 

[FLDRD]

Beautiful! What does the whole pipe look like?

I had several and chose those and deleted the rest. Maybe later I can grab a profile view. She really does remind me of a duck.
If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, quacks like a duck - well, smoke it.

 

[mso489]

That grain on that shape is unique to my eye. I'm sure it happens, but you don't see it often.

 

[FLDRD]

That grain on that shape is unique to my eye. I'm sure it happens, but you don't see it often.

Yep, it was a $40 basket pipe and it captured my eye. I'll grab a few more pics later today.

 

[FLDRD]

Quack!
You may or may not, but I see "duck" every time I look at it.
I suppose I like it FOR it's quirks.

 

[verporchting]

QWACK!

 

[Hillcrest]

Quack!
You may or may not, but I see "duck" every time I look at it.
I suppose I like it FOR it's quirks.

View attachment 156998

 

[TheIronMonkey]

The grain/birdseye is really nice—that’s a fun, chunky, little pipe. All bowl, hardly any shank—very interesting.

 

[OldWill]

I could be mis-remembering, but I seem to recall that Irish Briar Pipeworks was once an independent pipe carving shop. I'm sure that it either disappeared or was absorbed by a larger company, most likely Peterson. Maybe someone has a more reliable memory than mine.

 

[FLDRD]

I could be mis-remembering, but I seem to recall that Irish Briar Pipeworks was once an independent pipe carving shop. I'm sure that it either disappeared or was absorbed by a larger company, most likely Peterson. Maybe someone has a more reliable memory than mine.

The stamping is only : Irish Briar

It might have a little shamrock by it; can't recall at the moment.

It's definitely hand-made, as the bowl is out-of-round. But I've truly no knowledge of it's background or "heritage".

 

[Hillcrest]

The stamping is only : Irish Briar

It might have a little shamrock by it; can't recall at the moment.

It's definitely hand-made, as the bowl is out-of-round. But I've truly no knowledge of it's background or "heritage".

It might not be "out-of-round" ... look at it again after 4 or 5 Guiness's !! It's perfect ! ?

 

[Hillcrest]

It might have been carved to look like the head of a shillelagh. Peterson had a Shamrock sub-brand and Kaywoodie used a shamrock symbol on some pipes.

Shamrock - https://pipes.collectionhero.com/outer/gallery_listings.php?keyword=Shamrock+

 

[FLDRD]

It might have been carved to look like the head of a shillelagh. Peterson had a Shamrock sub-brand and Kaywoodie used a shamrock symbol on some pipes.

Shamrock - https://pipes.collectionhero.com/outer/gallery_listings.php?keyword=Shamrock+

View attachment 157050

I had not thought about that and am unfamiliar with the shape that would be in question. Perhaps I'll grab another shot from a top-down view and see what is thought.

 

[FLDRD]

It might have been carved to look like the head of a shillelagh. Peterson had a Shamrock sub-brand and Kaywoodie used a shamrock symbol on some pipes.

So I can totally see that now and think that could have been the intent.
Head of a shillelagh?
You decide. I am digging on the idea though and it makes me like the little pipe even more.



Yep, suddenly it's not so "out of round".



And here's the bottom stamping. Not once, not twice, but 3 times!
First under the shamrock, then twice on what remained more fully visible.



Thanks @hillcest
It's a great little smoker that looks even better now that I have a better understanding of what it's likely intended to represent.
Even if it still looks like a duck on profile.
Qwak

 

[Hillcrest]

So I can totally see that now and think that could have been the intent.
Head of a shillelagh?

Or an old fashioned Mashie !

Either way the grain on that pipe is stunning --- straight vertical grain on sides and birdseye on bottom and top ... Its worth it just for that grain pattern which is harder to come by now !! That pattern used to represent a pipe carver's aesthetic for a perfect pipe. Congratulations and enjoy that beautiful pipe ! ??️‍

P.S. I knew 4-5 Guinness's would clear things up !!!

 

[jpmcwjr]

I could be mis-remembering, but I seem to recall that Irish Briar Pipeworks* was once an independent pipe carving shop. I'm sure that it either disappeared or was absorbed by a larger company, most likely Peterson. Maybe someone has a more reliable memory than mine.

Makes sense. The cockeyed stamp lacks the word Pipeworks! There is no "Irish Briar".

* My emphasis.

 

[Hillcrest]

Quite possible. They seem to be out of business now as their domain name is for available. They made similar shaped pipes --- one pictured below.

 

[FLDRD]

I can't seem to find any facts about the company.