1937 GBD

[ssjones]

I've been in NJ all week, working 12-13 hour days opening a new Roy Rogers Restaurant in Brick (Tom's River area). I returned home this evening. I acquired my first hallmarked GBD, a 1937 pipe. This one was listed several times and the seller accepted my offer. I did of course consult with "Mr. Hallmark", member dmcmtk who confirmed the B was a 1937 mark (I'm used to seeing the letter on the right).
The sellers pictures were good, but a little dark. He accepted returns, so I figured I didn't have much to lose. I was delighted to find the pipe in outstanding condition. The briar is nearly without a mark (small chip on the bowl top). The rest of the beveled bowl top looks great, as does the interior (it passes a cleaner without effort). The stem has no teeth marks, but it has been buffed (the rondell). The GBD rondell is much smaller than any of the others in my collection. The GBD briar stamp is faded, but the other side is very good. Fortunately, the hallmarks are in very good shape. The stem fitment is excellent. The button is unlike my other GBD's as well, it's not orific (I do not like them for smoking) but somewhere in between. The stem had a little oxidation, which was easily removed. I didn't do anything to the bowl but lightly wax it with carnuba. I have to admit, I've never been so nervous buffing a pipe as I was with this one. It's a group 5 size pipe, weighing an even 50 grams.
Thanks again to Dave for the purchase input.

 

[pitchfork]

Congrats. That's a great looking pipe.

 

[agnosticpipe]

Really nice classic pipe! The silver band is a nice touch, plus some great birds eye. Congrats!

 

[Chasing Embers]

Wow! Pushing 80 and just gorgeous! 8O

 

[puffy]

Very Nice

 

[georged]

Nice pipe. :D
I'd guess the stem rondel fell out at some point and someone "shrunk" it a little with an emery board or similar to get it to fit back where it came from. Then, after they realized they took off too much, tried to make up the difference with some sort of glue.
Oh well. It's an honestly earned battle scar. Footballs and baseballs are covered with scuff marks, right? Same thing. 8)

 

[papipeguy]

That's a real beauty, Al. Congrats and enjoy it.

 

[ssjones]

@george - the rondell was worn enough, so decided to just work around it and hope I didn't damage it further (no harm done, whew)
She's definitely not perfect, but silver hallmarked GBD's of that age are pretty darn rare, so I'm overall quite pleased. I'll smoke it later this evening.

 

[jerwynn]

Absolutely lovely!! Magnificent acquisition!!

 

[mothernaturewilleatusallforbreakfast]

You gotta love these older GBD's. Great pipe!

 

[newbroom]

Man, that Roy Rogers sure has staying power.

 

[ssjones]

Yep, it was a nutty week, I'm still bushed this morning. And, the next one opens on Wednesday, also in NJ (Edison).
Here's opening day, before the crowds hit.

 

[ssjones]

Yep, it was a nutty week, I'm still bushed this morning. And, the next one opens on Wednesday, also in NJ (Edison).
Here's opening day, before the crowds hit. Those are the three brand owners eating lunch.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Congrats on the pipe and the openings!

 

[ejames]

Cool pipe Al ! I love looking at the older pipes !

 

[mso489]

It's good when a pipe and/or tobacco arrives as a sort of reward after a good job done. That's a grand old brair, real silver and commendable birds eye. The Roy Rogers franchise closed here eons ago, but I'm glad to see they are alive and well in your parts.

 

[ssjones]

I smoked the pipe for the first time Monday evening (MM965 of course). It smoked like a dream. The drilling at the button end is odd, it's a cross between orific and modern and the draw is a little restricted, so I was afraid it would not smoke well. I guess someone knew what they were doing in 1937, it was really excellent. This one will get smoked with some regularity. I just noticed that the number of bent billiard shapes are slowly creeping up on my Rhodesian/bulldog pipes...