1937 GBD R9239 Rhodesian (9242??)

[ssjones]

This shape is a bit of a GBD mystery. In the past six years, I’ve seen three of these come up on Ebay (one was unsmoked!). All of them have the R9239 designation, with a London hallmarked band that dates to 1937 (B date code). I have two other hallmarked 1930’s era GBD’s and each has the R code in front of the four digit shape number. The 9239 is referenced no where else in any GBD catalogs or literature that I’ve encountered. I speculate that the R must have signified a silver hallmarked band, but unfortunately that detail is lost to time.
Winning this auction was a battle with 12 other bidders and I eked out a victory by a few dollars. I studied the sellers photos carefully before bidding and I had plenty of apprehension until it was delivered. As you can see below, the photos were either altered digitally or the flash made some odd patterns on the briar. The rest of the pipe looked solid enough to allow me to bid. On delivery, all of my fears disappeared. The briar and vulcanite were in terrific condition. The stem fitment was snug with zero bite marks on the oxidized stem. The odd shadow was just that, a flash mark or other.
Here's the sellers photo and one that I took.

And the finished pipe below. Full details are the Reborn Pipes site

https://rebornpipes.com/2017/12/01/1937-gbd-chubby-rhodesian-r9239-restored/

 

[gloucesterman]

Nicely done and a great score. Dutch

 

[georged]

I believe the currently en vogue parlance for such generously endowed specimens is, "Dat bitch be thicc!" 8)

 

[papipeguy]

Very cool pipe, Al, and a wonderful restoration. Happy smoke rings with that beauty.

 

[nevadablue]

Beautiful work Al. Can you tell if the stem rondelle is silver or is it a 'normal' GBD piece?

 

[ssjones]

Looks silver colored to my eyes.

 

[ssjones]

But to me, silver would be considered "normal".

 

[woodsroad]

A wonderful find, Al.

Made even better with such a careful and respectful restoration.

Congrats!

 

[mso489]

It just breathes durability and good smoking characteristics. Nice job reviving its strong traditional essence. Good thing you got ahold of it.

 

[nevadablue]

Sorry, I should have explained the question better. I have been told that the 'gold' rondelle is just gold colored aluminum and that the gold wears off to show bare aluminum. And the 'normal' ones would be aluminum.
I was just curious about the silver mounting and wondered if they went so far as to make special rondelles for the silver mounted ones.

 

[ssjones]

That is a good question, unfortunately, I don't think it has an answer.

I can tell you that on the older GBD's, the rondell is smaller by about 1.5 mm than those on what I would consider to be more modern. (and as such, hard to work around!)

 

[virginialover]

As a GBD aficionado and poor collector I say hear, hear dear sir. This pipe represents the quintessential Rhodesian specimen for me.

 

[aquadoc]

Beautiful pipe. Great job.

 

[danielplainview]

Sweet baby Jesus. That’s a stunner. Im still trying to obtain my holy grail 9242, or this R9239 shape. I had a 1937 hallmarked billiard stamped with the “R” code as well.
I’ll double check, but I’m pretty sure I have Tapestry billiard with the 9239 shape stamp.
Congrats Al. That is a superstar addition to the GBD collection. Well done on the restoration/preservation.

 

[irishearl]

Such a marvelous pipe. I'm jealous. Do love some fat bent Rhodesians.

 

[voorhees]

What a stunner. Nice cleanup too.

 

[fnord]

Nicely done, Al. It's a killer.
Fnord

 

[jpmcwjr]

Glorious. And fine work, Al.

 

[paulfg]

Im glad you won it Al,I was in for it, but way too low a bid

 

[piffyr]

Nice work, Al! Congrats on that beauty. I love those Botticellian curves.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-D99n9f3vU4