2 Estate Medicos

[phxrock]

This afternoon I picked up 2 medicos for a reasonable price of $5.00. I am wondering if any one might know anything about then?
The first one is marked Franks Medico VFQ. The other side has Imported Briar 39.
The second one is marked Medico Guardsman imported briar.
They both need to be cleaned up. They have bee heavly smoked and have a lot of cake. These will be my first restoration project.
Thanks
John

Smokem if you got them

 

[buroak]

phxrock, Medico, like Kaywoodie since 1955, is an S.M. Frank brand. The first pipe I ever bought was a Medico brylon pipe. Since then the only Medico I have bought is a Magnet Top, which I acquired because the piece that attaches to the magnets inlaid in the rim acts as a great windscreen. They are cheaper pipes, but good smokers without the filter.
Given what you paid for the pipes, they should be good grist for your first restoration.

 

[blueeyedogre]

My daily pipes are Medicos, my local B+M carries them but not Kaywoodie or Grabow. I have a Varsity Volcano and a Husky Dublin and both smoke great after I removed the varnish finish. They should clean up to be nice smokers.

 

[tuold]

I enjoy collecting the older Medico pipes. The VFQ (Very Fine Quality) pipes were supposed to be just what the initials imply.
Here's an ad from a 1947 Life magazine for VFQ pipes:

The Guardsman are interesting pipes having a metal grate at the bottom of the bowl that was supposed to protect against "wet heel". They are a bit of pain to keep clean so I don't smoke mine often. They were advertised as "new" in 1947.

Here's a picture of mine. I'd like to see your before and after pics!

 

[phxrock]

Tuold,
Sorry I saw your post after I removed the cake and cleaned the screen. Imagine your guardsman with at least a nickles thickness of cake, and the screen plugged with tar and bits of tobacco so bad the air flow was at a minimum. The stem was also partially blocked.

The outside of the bowl is scratched and the rim is badly stained.

To clean the screen I had to use a paper clip, alcohol and pipe cleaners. It took me awhile but it clear now. The stumel was just as bad.
I almost think this restoration is going to be a challenge. Thinking about stripping and refinishing them.
The VFQ is just as bad. These pipes were well smoked and basic cleaning done.
John

 

[tuold]

I imagine the paperclip worked just fine, but if you are going to be cleaning estate pipes often I recommend buying a dental pick at the grocery store. They are great for picking and scraping. I use mine on just about every pipe I refurbish.
I'd sure like to see some pics when you are done!
Here's my VFQ before I worked on it. It was already in pretty good condition. Not my favorite shape though.

 

[toby67]

Or go to a dentist and ask him if you can buy a range of his old tools, if the pick is broken just file or grind them back, this way you get an assortment of types, like a hook pick etc which is good to lift out the grate plates and they have many other handy uses for other jobs around the home.
Be good to see the before and after pics.

 

[tuold]

Just wanted to add my latest estate Medico Gold Crest bulldog to this thread.