Attempting to identify a pipemaker

[themolco]

I recently received a pipe from a friend in Russia and am trying to track down its origins. the stamp is a bit worn, the only characters I can make out are _ _ AВТAБA _. The first character could be D, B, R, or P (edit: Possibly O or C, but unlikely). The second could be Д, but is too worn to be certain. The last is either B or R.
Additionally, the pipe is purported to have been crafted before WWII.
Any thoughts?
Thanks,

M.

 

[pstlpkr]

Welcome Themolco, we're glad to have you aboard.
If you can post a photo or two someone may know some history on it.

But, if it is Russian and pre-WWII, might be tough to identify.

 

[cortezattic]

Hi Themolco, and welcome to the PM.com forums! :clap:
I couldn't find anything with Cyrillic characters at the pipe logos & markings website; and there's not much there for Russia and Ukraine.

Perhaps a hallmark, stamp, or symbol on the stem would be more useful, if there is one.

 

[themolco]

I have a photo of the front of the pipe, but my camera died so no other pics of any quality until later in the week. I am pretty sure the stem has been remade. There are no markings of any kind on it, either.
Here's the "face" of the pipe (link on flickr). It's a pretty unique design, so perhaps it will strike a chord with someone?
Thanks fellows!

 

[unclearthur]

I have seen a couple of those turn up on ebay in the last year or so. No information on the maker though that I remember.

 

[cortezattic]

Hmmm... looks like folk art, or something meant for the tourist trade; but the Cyrillic stamping is puzzling.

Also, its size suggests that it is intended for use in a form of smoking that involves very small quantities of very strong weed

-- popular in Eastern countries -- and not too closely related to pipe tobacco. I can't remember what that's called,

but it's been mentioned here a few times. I think getting that stamping translated would be the first step.

 

[kcvet67]

It looks as though it's a carving of Lenin, which would fit with the Russian background.

 

[themolco]

The only thing that keeps me from thinking it is a carving of Lenin is the direction the eyes look. He was generally depicted looking upwards, while this character is definitely looking downwards.
I don't think it was meant to be a shisha pipe, though it wouldn't surprise me. It handles a good stout English okay, so that's me in a happy place=)