1894 Vintage Churchwarden Info Request.

[mawnansmiff]

Hi folks, I have just bought a cased Churchwarden pipe allegedly dating from 1894. The pipe is stamped H.P (note only one fullstop) in an oval. The silver band is stamped G.S. and W. S. and the pipe has what reminds me of an albatross bone stem with an alleged Bakelite mouthpiece. The seller never mentioned albatross bone but did state it was a natural material.
I've hunted everywhere for the maker and the nearest I can come up with is Henry Perkins and Sons but according to Pipephil their logo was H.P.S. in an oval. Anyone out there got any ideas about this little bit of history?
Below are the images supplied by the seller, I shall take better ones once the pipe arrives. The entire length is 335mm or just a smidge over 13 inches long.

The eagle eyed will spot that there is a pipe missing from the case. This is not included in the sale sadly as it wasn't found.
Regards,
Jay.

 

[ssjones]

"Who Made That Pipe" also says H. Perkins & Sons.

 

[pitchfork]

That's almost certainly a Henry Perkins pipe. The silver hallmark doesn't ring any bells, though.
Here's one with the same markings on the shank and a Henry Perkins silver band.
https://shop.fincatolacasadelhabano.com/products/henry-perkins-1896-c-1896

 

[dmcmtk]

I've got very little Jay. I'd call it a Reading Pipe...? Bakelite wasn't invented until 1907. Are those London hallmarks?

 

[pitchfork]

Also, the stem wouldn't be bakelite (invented 1907), but it could be another early plastic. Or it could be vulcanite or horn and the seller just wasn't sure what it was and called it bakelite.
What a fantastic pipe in any case -- the albatross bone looks to be in good shape. If it's intact, you've got yourself a real gem.

 

[pitchfork]

Jay, I just found the listing for your pipe. What a great deal you got! Also, I've bought antique pipes from that seller before and one of them has an acrylic replacement stem added to a silver screw fitment. It's from the collection of the late owner of James Upshall and he had a number of pipe restorers working for him. It's possible that someone from that shop added an acrylic stem to the silver, which is no bad thing, really. The original was probably amber, which breaks easily. A well-made acrylic replacement, if it is that, should last a lifetime.

 

[mawnansmiff]

Many thanks Pitchfork, I surmise my pipe was made afore the sons became involved hence only the HP stamp?
It never occurred to me the stem wouldn't be Bakelite due to the date, it's just that that is how it was described. Do you think I might be right about the albatross bone 'shank'? If not, what other material could it be?
Dave, yes, it's London hallmarked (leopard's head and capital T). As for the fitment, I don't know if it's a screw fit or push fit but would wager the latter.
If all is as described I reckon this will be my oldest pipe so I must tread carefully with any refurbishment. And yes, I too think I got a bargain!
I'll post more pictures upon arrival.
Regards,
Jay.