Any Comoy's Experts? (Need Help Dating De Luxe Straight Grain)

[bunchoffives]

Long time lurker/pipe smoker, but this is my first post here.
I recently won an auction for what I am almost 100% certain is an older Comoy. It doesn't have the Comoy stamp--- it was made for The Owl Shop in New Haven, but I know for a fact that Comoy's made pipes for the Owl Shop and this has a few of the tell tale markings, like the Made in England circle.
The pipe is absolutely stunning, and I've sort of reached a dead end in the dating/grading department. I believe it to be made prior to 1960(?) Does anyone have a firmer date, and also any info as to what grade this would be for a Comoy? There's no hallmark on the band, unfortunately. It has a beautiful 360 straight grain.
Other Markings:
De Luxe

Straight OWL Grain (pretty sure this is Owl Shop Specific)

332
Thanks for any info you can offer!

Bonus Before & After from eBay listing to cleanup:

 

[pagan]

Nice, maby @ssjones will chime in

 

[ssjones]

Shape 332 is definitely a Comoy's shape:

https://www.smokingpipes.com/pipes/estate/italy/moreinfo.cfm?product_id=43207
Made in England was used by Comoy's. GL Pease says this was the date range:

"The third period, approximately 1938 through the early to mid-forties or so, has the same "COMOY'S" stamp and grade, with the country of origin changing to the circular "MADE IN ENGLAND," the word "IN" in the center of the circle formed by the words "MADE" and "ENGLAND."
I can't tell you much else. Here's a 1962 Owl Shop Catalog, but that grade isn't shown (it sure sounds like a high grade!)
http://pipepages.com/owlshop1.htm

 

[dmcmtk]

I'm going to say the 1930's. The Made in England mark looks to me like the "rugby ball".

Made in England
This is stamped in a circle with “MADE” at the top, “IN” in the middle, and “ENGLAND” forming the bottom of the circle. This can be seen on a Cecil as early as 1910 and on an Old Bruyere of 1921 and more frequent from the 1930s. It can also appear as “MADE” arched, “IN” below, and “ENGLAND” arched the other way. These stamps are in an oval rugby-ball shape rather than a circle round shape.

Comparative images are here,
https://pipedia.org/wiki/Comoy%27s_Dating_Guide
The Owl Shop,

Owl Shop in New Haven, Connecticut was originally opened on Wall Street in 1934 by Joseph St.John who came to America from Greece in 1925. Beginning originally as a bookstore, he was also selling tobacco and mixing his own blends. In 1937, a second store on College Street was opened by Joseph and his wife Catherine.

https://pipedia.org/wiki/Owl_Shop
Information on the different grades, including Deluxe is here (note one of the cited examples is also a "private label"),
https://pipedia.org/wiki/A_History_Of_Comoy%27s_and_A_Guide_Toward_Dating_the_Pipes
I also think in your pictures the stem is on upside down...? Check it out.

 

[ssjones]

I also think in your pictures the stem is on upside down...? Check it out.

I thought that was a perhaps a wonky repair, but I think you are right.

 

[bunchoffives]

Yep, stem was upside down. It wasn't sitting flush at all the other way but I figured out what's wrong. Lol!
Good info so far! I'm wondering if it's safe to date it 1938-1945'ish? And I wonder how close this is to a Specimin Straight Grain. Regardless, the grain really is stunning on this one.

 

[samcoffeeman]

Awesome! I absolutely love those Comoy's off brand pipes, particularly those with old COM stamps. Should most definitely be dated to the '30s-40s. I'd like to see better pics of the stem, usually can tell if it is original or not by the button. Those old Comoy stems/buttons were every bit as good on off brands.

 

[doctorbob]

I would agree with the 'Rugby' COM vs. the round stamp.
doc

 

[bunchoffives]

I'll get some better pictures of the stem this weekend. Thanks for the info!
On further inspection, the stem definitely isn't upside down. It doesn't sit flush at all the other way. I found an old (1914) Comoy's on Smoking Pipes that has a similar stem angle...

Here's the link.
In fact, pretty much looks the same! It seemed wrong to me too, though.
Still interested in knowing if this would be close to a Specimen Straight Grain in rarity. The grain is pretty outstanding.

 

[jguss]

I would lean towards late thirties as opposed to forties; few pipes were made by Comoy during and immediately after the war.