Dating a Barling spigot pipe.

[WarCar]

I am having trouble finding when this pipe was made. It is a 4 digit T.V.F. Pipe that would suggest that it is after the transition period however the maker marks seem to indicate a 1943 pipe with a Capital T on the hallmark. Could this be an old stock made later. If anyone can help I appreciate it.
Warren

 

[sablebrush52]

I am having trouble finding when this pipe was made. It is a 4 digit T.V.F. Pipe that would suggest that it is after the transition period however the maker marks seem to indicate a 1943 pipe with a Capital T on the hallmark. Could this be an old stock made later. If anyone can help I appreciate it.
WarrenView attachment 406932

I'd like to see a wider shot of the pipe in order to see the other markings and to see how this stem lines up with the shank. From the picture, it looks WAY off. As for this hallmark, the assay office is Birmingham, and the year date is 1993. So, whoever controlled the IP at that time made this pipe.

 

[WarCar]

I'd like to see a wider shot of the pipe in order to see the other markings and to see how this stem lines up with the shank. From the picture, it looks WAY off. As for this hallmark, the assay office is Birmingham, and the year date is 1993. So, whoever controlled the IP at that time made this pipe.

The T matches the 1943 Birmingham hallmark though. I will add more photos thanks for the info

 

[WarCar]

The T matches the 1943 Birmingham hallmark though. I will add more photos thanks for the info

 

[sablebrush52]

The T matches the 1943 Birmingham hallmark though. I will add more photos thanks for the info

No, it doesn't. In 1943, to the extent that anyone was making sterling mounted pipes in the middle of a World War, the "T" was a straight serifed shape, which yours is not. The "T" on yours is not serifed and is slightly angled, so, 1993.

Also, in 1943, Barling did its own silver work, to the extent that it did any, and all of it has London assay office marks. It wasn't until well after the closing of the Barling factories in 1970, that its successor entities used silver work that was assayed in Birmingham.

Then there's the TVF stamp visible in the image that you uploaded. Barling didn't start using the TVF stamping until after the war, most likely 1947, so again, not 1943.

Let's see the logo stamp

 

[WarCar]

 

[WarCar]

View attachment 406978

What about the sideways Anchor ?

 

[xrundog]

What about the sideways Anchor ?

Birmingham. Orientation doesn't matter. The T stamp is lousy. But it doesn't resemble the 1943 mark.

 

[WarCar]

Thanks for the info

 

[jguss]

What about the sideways Anchor ?

I too think the orientation of the anchor is meaningless. Stamping could be and was occasionally sloppy.

Here are the date code images from the Birmingham Assay Office website:







And here’s an authentic 1943 date stamp on a sterling silver napkin ring:



The image you posted lacks the serifs and the proper shape of the cartouche. My guess would be the same as Jesse’s, 1993.

By the way what’s the four digit shape code you said is stamped on the pipe?

 

[WarCar]

I too think the orientation of the anchor is meaningless. Stamping could be and was occasionally sloppy.

Here are the date code images from the Birmingham Assay Office website:

View attachment 406987

View attachment 406986

View attachment 406988

And here’s an authentic 1943 date stamp on a sterling silver napkin ring:

View attachment 406989

The image you posted lacks the serifs and the proper shape of the cartouche. My guess would be the same as Jesse’s, 1993.

By the way what’s the four digit shape code you said is stamped on the pipe?

5291

 

[sablebrush52]

5291

That's interesting, because Barling added a 9 to the end of the model number for pipes which had military or spigot mounts. Checking my copy of the dealer's catalog from 1963 doesn't show this model number, so it's likely a number devised by a successor company. There's not a ton of research that has been done on this period past when Imperial sold the IP rights to Bucktrout around 1980.

I've seen this diamond shaped cartouche on a couple of other later Birmingham assayed Barling pipes, so the cartouche shapes are not always aligned with the printed hallmark lists.

It is a handsome looking pipe. I hope that it smokes well for you.

 

[jguss]

5291

Thank you.

So as you probably know the revised shape numbering system didn’t exist until late 1962. Your shape number at that time meant:

5 = Ex Large
29 = Dublin
1 = saddle bit with short bite length

In the late sixties Barling offered a sterling silver spigot version of its models and it’s pretty clear to me yours is one of those utilizing a stummel made for regular production. See third model from the bottom of this listing from the 1969 Retail Tobacco Dealers Almanac:



This link will show you other 5291’s (while I’m sure some of these are of the same pipe I’m doubtful all are):

5291 pipe - page 1 | WorthPoint

5291 pipe in the WorthPoint Worthopedia® Price Guide, page 1 of 1

www.worthpoint.com

And this link will show you others shapes with the same silverwork:

Barling 1969 - page 1 | WorthPoint

Barling 1969 in the WorthPoint Worthopedia® Price Guide, page 1 of 4

www.worthpoint.com

 

[WarCar]

Thank you for all of the info it seemed like the system was a bit odd

 

[WarCar]

By the way I just had a bowl and it smokes like a dream

 

[OzPiper]

Thank you for all of the info it seemed like the system was a bit odd

You can’t get any better information on Barling pipes than from @sablebrush52 and @jguss