I had been meaning to find a good Bertram pipe for a while just due it's historical footprint in my region. It also helps that they are regarded as well-made (even Stalin liked them). However, I've read that they were better regarded pre-WW2 and the increased production between 1945 and the 1960s when their production facility was destroyed in the MLK riots.
I've always been a sucker for oval shanks and Dublins. So, when this shape came up, I pounced. I've only ever seen this Dublin/Canadian thing on an Upshall before (and it was over $300). I'm pretty impressed that it's only 30 grams for a rather large 6.5" pipe.
The long and short of it, does anyone know anyway of dating a Bertram pipe, particularly if it's unusual shape like this? I know there is a 1950 Bertram's catalog on Pipepages.com. All of the pipes in it have 3 digit shape numbers. This one has a "90" or "06" - it's hard to say which since the numbers are blocky and could be read either direction.
I've always been a sucker for oval shanks and Dublins. So, when this shape came up, I pounced. I've only ever seen this Dublin/Canadian thing on an Upshall before (and it was over $300). I'm pretty impressed that it's only 30 grams for a rather large 6.5" pipe.
The long and short of it, does anyone know anyway of dating a Bertram pipe, particularly if it's unusual shape like this? I know there is a 1950 Bertram's catalog on Pipepages.com. All of the pipes in it have 3 digit shape numbers. This one has a "90" or "06" - it's hard to say which since the numbers are blocky and could be read either direction.