A few weeks ago, I was hanging out at Barclays Pipe, Tobacco & Cigars on Lane Ave, Columbus, Ohio and some Estate Pipes arrived and their Pipe Guru, Angus was just starting with the Sterilization and Restoration process.
Including an assortment of old pipe bowl's and stems.
They let me look at the lot and I was just drawn to one rather filthy, actually rather gross meerschaum pipe bowl.
Even worse, it looked like someone, for some unknown reason had managed to drill a hole through the bottom of the bowl making it useless as a pipe.
That and there was no stem.
But for some reason, I just had to have it!
After a bit of dickering, I purchased the bowl for $15.
I took it home and with the aid of of Dawn dishwashing soap, I managed to remove years worth of Crud from the Meerschaum and with the aid of Simichrome (The King of metal polishes) I was able to restore the Brass Bowl rim as well as the trim around the shank.
Fortunately, the folks at Barclays were able to introduce me to a local pipe maker who was able to do a great job of filling the mystery hole with a nearly invisible repair as well as making a new "Push" Tenion and a Gorgeous Tortoise Shell Stem.
He was also able to tell me that the pipe was most likely made in the 1920's.
The bowl is on the deep side and it holds a good amount of Tobacco for a good long smoke.
It has a great draw, delivers a cool smoke and the bowl does not get hot.
And I have to tell you that the picture just does not do this pipe justice.
And my total investment,......
$52
Also, if anyone can identify the maker or give me anymore info on this pipe, I would greatly appreciate it!
Blessed Be ?