I just inherited my grandfather’s meerschaum pipe and just wanted to share how lovely I think it is. The case is surprisingly beat up, and I think the stem was replaced in the 1960s.
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I forgot to ask, should I take any special precautions before smoking it? It’ll be the first time in 50 years that it’s been used.
Nice carving...and that's great that you have it from your Grandfather.
As for precautions, I don't have any experience with old meers, but there are at least a few on here who do...hopefully they will chime in if there's anything you need to be careful about. I suspect that since it was smoked quite a bit in the past it should be ok to smoke it normally now.
As for precautions, I don't have any experience with old meers, but there are at least a few on here who do...hopefully they will chime in if there's anything you need to be careful about. I suspect that since it was smoked quite a bit in the past it should be ok to smoke it normally now.
That's a beautifully carved pipe. Definitely an older meer, probably early 1900's, and it appears to be in nice condition. Many of the older meers have cases that show a lot of wear and tear, which is fine as long as the meer is in good shape. It appears yours is in great condition after sitting around for so long.
If it was my pipe and I was going to smoke it then I would wet a paper towel and use it to clean the bowl. Just wet a paper towel and twist it up so it fits in the bowl and swirl it around. Do that a few times until it comes out looking clean. I would then take a pipe cleaner and put a small amount of alcohol on it and clean the steam and lightly clean the shank. Once it's cleaned to your liking, load it up and smoke it.
Congrats on the family treasure and may it bring you many happy smokes.
If it was my pipe and I was going to smoke it then I would wet a paper towel and use it to clean the bowl. Just wet a paper towel and twist it up so it fits in the bowl and swirl it around. Do that a few times until it comes out looking clean. I would then take a pipe cleaner and put a small amount of alcohol on it and clean the steam and lightly clean the shank. Once it's cleaned to your liking, load it up and smoke it.
Congrats on the family treasure and may it bring you many happy smokes.
The first pipe showing a dead fox would be well suited to smoke Briar Fox in.
Truly beautiful works of art there. Cherish them.
Truly beautiful works of art there. Cherish them.
Really nice pipe! Three star is a1900ish brand. The pipe needs a good cleaning. It is likely to otherwise taste bad.
I prefer my meers when I'm at home, sorry to say I do not have any experience with a meer as old as that one, but I would think it would be fine for smoking as is. As Metal said maybe a damp cloth to get the dust out, or if you so choose a light reaming of the bowl.
Remember reaming a meer is different than reaming a briar, meers are softer and require little to no pressure on the reamer. if you feel it catch stop imedately make a couple of turns the other way before continuing with less preassure.
But I would think the wipping out with a soft damp cloth would be good enough. from what I can see Grandpa took care of his pipe. He left you a fine piece of art enjoy and think of him often when you fire it up.
Remember reaming a meer is different than reaming a briar, meers are softer and require little to no pressure on the reamer. if you feel it catch stop imedately make a couple of turns the other way before continuing with less preassure.
But I would think the wipping out with a soft damp cloth would be good enough. from what I can see Grandpa took care of his pipe. He left you a fine piece of art enjoy and think of him often when you fire it up.
A gentle cleaning and a light up. Nice piece with family history. Many happy smokes! 
The pipe itself is a mineral and nothing really special needs to be done to maintain it different than modern meers.
Your biggest concern, however, is going to be the tenon and stem. I wouldn't clench it and let it dangle. Other than that, everything should be business as normal.
Your biggest concern, however, is going to be the tenon and stem. I wouldn't clench it and let it dangle. Other than that, everything should be business as normal.
U
Ulfson
Guest
What an amazing pipe. I am lucky enough to have a pipe rack my great grandfather owned and a pipe that my wives great grandfather, a WW2 veteran, owned.
U
Ulfson
Guest
I'm new here and I just saw this post. I love old Meerschaum pipes. This one is lovely, in remarkable condition, so often stems are broken or hanging loosely or gone completely. The delicate details like the horse's reins, the little legs of the fox, dog and horse, all vulnerable to breakage- wonderful they have survived the last 125+ years. Great photos showing the three dimensionality of the carving, a marker of the carver's skill. A lot going on in just a small space! I love the rendition of the fox's limp body- whether from sheer terror or death, the eager aggression on the hound's countenance, and the horse's gaping astonishment at the commotion, or just gasping for breath after the chase. And the huntsman's outfit is period correct. A family heirloom to be sure! 
