2 Mystery Pipes, Same Maker

[elessar]

I recently aquired a pipe which has similar markings to another I have. Both of which do not conform to what is known about the brand which is stamped on the pipes, BBB. They certainly have the BBB logo, but they are not stamped with any country of origin. To my knowledge, the font used on the stamping looks identical to that of Briarcraft.



Both have a removable stinger of some sort.

The font looks like Briarcraft to me.

The Aged Imported Briar stamp looks like Briarcraft also.


I have found that WDC did make BBB in the US. Can anyone confirm if Briarcraft also made a line of pipes in the US for BBB? If not Briarcraft, who made these pipes?

 

[shanez]

I would say "Best British Briar" and if they are pipephil doesn't reference those particular grades.

They only have: Own Make, Bold Grain, Best Make, Rare Grain

They also have some other special marked pipes but neither of those so nice score!

 

[elessar]

I would say "Best British Briar" and if they are pipephil doesn't reference those particular grades.

They only have: Own Make, Bold Grain, Best Make, Rare Grain

They also have some other special marked pipes but neither of those so nice score!

That is what I found as well. It is certainly the BBB logo, but without country of origin and the grades don't match any known grades. Also, the font used is not what I am used to seeing on BBB.

 

[snagstangl]

I have come accross the info that BBB had a factory making pipes for them in the US. But I can't remeber when.

 

[snagstangl]

BBB Made By L&H Stern Co? :: British Pipes

Here is a BBB that was possibly made by LHS. I hope the BBB collectors chime in with any information. There are too many similarities to just be coincidence. Besides the fact that LHS pipes are great burners, the scarce information and mystery surrounding L&H Stern piques my curiosity of this...

pipesmagazine.com

 

[elessar]

I had read that also. It's the font and stampings that throw me off.

 

[mau1]

That looks like a bone chimney extension on the one stem. Not something you see very often IMO.

 

[BROBS]

Here’s pics of my bbb Thorneycroft

Found At Local B&M :: Pipe Talk

Yep, that's one beautiful pipe bro brobs. Congrats on the nice find, and good job on the cleanup. Looks amazing

pipesmagazine.com

The BBB looks the same. See the COM is way down by the stem.

maybe that’s why the Brit made BBBs say “own make” ?

 

[theloniousmonkfish]

That crazy finned stinger reminds me strongly of one from an old pipe I have somewhere marked "Cavalcade", which were produced by Briarcraft. And the shape on that pipe is rather reminiscent of this Briarcraft Bulldozer.

But the most telling stamping is on the bottom. Bears an uncanny resemblance to yours which I'm betting is a Briarcraft product.

 

[elessar]

That looks like a bone chimney extension on the one stem. Not something you see very often IMO.

That's exactly what it is. It is threaded into the stem and is removable as well.

 

[elessar]

That crazy finned stinger reminds me strongly of one from an old pipe I have somewhere marked "Cavalcade", which were produced by Briarcraft. And the shape on that pipe is rather reminiscent of this Briarcraft Bulldozer.

But the most telling stamping is on the bottom. Bears an uncanny resemblance to yours which I'm betting is a Briarcraft product.

Your are on the trail I think. The shape is spot on and the "Aged Imported Briar" stamping looks identical.

 

[mau1]

That's exactly what it is. It is threaded into the stem and is removable as well.

Be very careful with that bone chimney. I have a bone chimney on one of my Peterson's. I can't get it to unscrew so I have left it alone on the advice of a number of our colleagues. They will break if they are stuck and you try to force it. Glad to hear yours it good. And it seems you've solved the mystery of your pipes.

 

[mso489]

Wasn't the "imported briar" stamping mostly used in the U.S.? Or was it used by UK as well? I thought that was a signal that manufacturers had surmounted the scarcity of real briar, but was mostly a U.S. "thing." During the war other woods were used, some maple, but distinctively Mountain Laurel, which is still done by a rare few carvers, Jerry Perry of Colfax, N.C., being among them.

 

[michail]

That's an interesting mystery. I doubt that they are production seconds. They seem well made.

 

[BROBS]

Wasn't the "imported briar" stamping mostly used in the U.S.? Or was it used by UK as well? I thought that was a signal that manufacturers had surmounted the scarcity of real briar, but was mostly a U.S. "thing." During the war other woods were used, some maple, but distinctively Mountain Laurel, which is still done by a rare few carvers, Jerry Perry of Colfax, N.C., being among them.

Yes imported briar was pretty much only used on US pipes.