American Civil War Pipes

[Sweet Home Alabama]

I love knowing the histories of most things. For me, it makes the using all the more enjoyable. Having seen photos of CW soldiers with their pipes, I was surprised to see them smoking briar looking pipes. Usually bent stem versions. I was expecting clay.

Do you have old pipes in your collection? If so, please post a photo if possible.

Do you know about what pipes were used during this area?

Where would American people in the 1800's obtain their pipes?

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Where would American people in the 1800's obtain their pipes?

The big cities would have had tobacconists that sold some imported pipes. But clays and corn cobs would have been more prevalent in the South. But, New Orleans, Atlanta, Richmond, and a few other Southern cities might have had tobacconists.

 

[jguss]

Oddly enough a fine book exists by Ben Rapaport on this very topic (Tobacco and Smoking Among the Blue and Gray - Book | Smokingpipes.com - https://www.smokingpipes.com/accessories/books/moreinfo.cfm?product_id=160862). It’s a bit pricey but you get a hefty tome that’s very well done. I’m glad I have one.

 

[anantaandroscoggin]

Missouri Meerschaum didn't get its start until 1869, five years after the war ended. Anybody smoking a corncob probably made it themselves, while out in the field.

 

[judcole]

I would guess that clay pipes would have been most prevalent.

 

[anantaandroscoggin]

Didn't briar start entering the market some time early in the 19th century? By the 1860s, I would imagine their availability had spread to some extent.

 

[Sweet Home Alabama]

Didn't briar start entering the market some time early in the 19th century? By the 1860s, I would imagine their availability had spread to some extent.

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