I succumbed to another GBD 9438 this past weekend, a Seventy-Six model. I have two other GBD Seventy-Six models (9676 Colossus & 2006 Bulldog) but had not yet encountered this grade in the 9438 line. I've found that Seventy-Six grade briar is very nice and it's rumored they used Virgin grade briar. My other two smoke wonderfully and I'm hoping this one is no exception.
As you can see from the ad photos, the seller isn't exactly one with a steller reputation on pipe boards (Ebay feedback is excellent), so I rolled the dice. Communication from the seller was excellent and it was shipped very quickly (purchased Sunday PM, delivered Wed to MD). The pipe was packed properly and true to the photos. The pipe needed to be reamed and cleaned, which I prefer doing myself. It had one tiny handling ding not seen in the photos, but that steamed out perfectly. I finished the stem with the final two grades of micromesh as I like that level of shine. The bowl was reamed and is now soaking with Everclear and sea salt.
As you can see from the ad photos, the seller isn't exactly one with a steller reputation on pipe boards (Ebay feedback is excellent), so I rolled the dice. Communication from the seller was excellent and it was shipped very quickly (purchased Sunday PM, delivered Wed to MD). The pipe was packed properly and true to the photos. The pipe needed to be reamed and cleaned, which I prefer doing myself. It had one tiny handling ding not seen in the photos, but that steamed out perfectly. I finished the stem with the final two grades of micromesh as I like that level of shine. The bowl was reamed and is now soaking with Everclear and sea salt.