EDIT: Fixed Capitalization in Title (See Rule 9)
Hey guys, I just found this forum and just joined (I apologize if this is in the wrong place)!
So, I'm a theatre prop artisan by trade and I just recently got interested in expanding my work into restoring old pipes. I was browsing etsy and ebay recently and came across a super unique meerschaum that I kept coming back to, I just ordered it and it should arrive in the next couple of weeks. The pipe measure's a measly 3.75 inches long and includes a rather antiqued soft case.
The listing for the pipe dated it to the 1910's, I'm not sure how to gauge that accuracy, and it looks to have encountered quite a bit of use (or abuse), so my question to you fine people is what the best method of refurbishing a meerschaum pipe might be. From the pictures it appears it will need a new stem, it's wrapped in fabric tape that the seller hasn't removed. And the bowl looks relatively cleared out (from a novice's opinion), I see some tiny holes have formed on the bowl's outer surface but have no idea how deep those may go, but the listing states that there are no visible cracks.
I would be so grateful for any advice as to how to start restoring this thing when it arrives (it's coming from Scotland), and I promise I will make a follow up post detailing the restoration (if such a thing is possible) for any who are interested.
The seller's description reads:
"A gorgeous, preloved, little meerschaum pipe with what seems to be an unusual design of spikes or spines around the lower part of the bowl and along the stem, despite this it is comfortable to hold and is very tactile being highly polished from use.
There has been a repair carried out at some point using fabric insulating tape, we have not attempted to remove the tape to inspect it. Measuring just 9.5cm (3.75 inches) long, the pipe has seen a lot of smoking but there are no cracks visible.
Like the pipe, the leather-covered felt-lined case has seen a lot of use (see images) but is still intact with both tiny brass hinges and the brass closure working well. It measures 11.5cm (4.5 inches) long by 5cm (2 inches) wide."
Here are the photo's of the pipe I have dubbed "Barnacle Boi":
Hey guys, I just found this forum and just joined (I apologize if this is in the wrong place)!
So, I'm a theatre prop artisan by trade and I just recently got interested in expanding my work into restoring old pipes. I was browsing etsy and ebay recently and came across a super unique meerschaum that I kept coming back to, I just ordered it and it should arrive in the next couple of weeks. The pipe measure's a measly 3.75 inches long and includes a rather antiqued soft case.
The listing for the pipe dated it to the 1910's, I'm not sure how to gauge that accuracy, and it looks to have encountered quite a bit of use (or abuse), so my question to you fine people is what the best method of refurbishing a meerschaum pipe might be. From the pictures it appears it will need a new stem, it's wrapped in fabric tape that the seller hasn't removed. And the bowl looks relatively cleared out (from a novice's opinion), I see some tiny holes have formed on the bowl's outer surface but have no idea how deep those may go, but the listing states that there are no visible cracks.
I would be so grateful for any advice as to how to start restoring this thing when it arrives (it's coming from Scotland), and I promise I will make a follow up post detailing the restoration (if such a thing is possible) for any who are interested.
The seller's description reads:
"A gorgeous, preloved, little meerschaum pipe with what seems to be an unusual design of spikes or spines around the lower part of the bowl and along the stem, despite this it is comfortable to hold and is very tactile being highly polished from use.
There has been a repair carried out at some point using fabric insulating tape, we have not attempted to remove the tape to inspect it. Measuring just 9.5cm (3.75 inches) long, the pipe has seen a lot of smoking but there are no cracks visible.
Like the pipe, the leather-covered felt-lined case has seen a lot of use (see images) but is still intact with both tiny brass hinges and the brass closure working well. It measures 11.5cm (4.5 inches) long by 5cm (2 inches) wide."
Here are the photo's of the pipe I have dubbed "Barnacle Boi":
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