Barling Freehand with Plateaux

[Eswey]

I saw an unusual Barling Shape on local market. It wrote "Barling" in first line and "London England" in second line on the stamp. Does anyone know what year approximately this pipe was made?

thanks in advance, folks..

 

[sablebrush52]

It was probably made between the early and mid 1970's, after Imperial shuttered the Barling factories and outsourced manufacture to several other British pipe makers, includig Oppenheimer and Charatan. My guess is that this one was made by Charatan.

 

[Eswey]

It was probably made between the early and mid 1970's, after Imperial shuttered the Barling factories and outsourced manufacture to several other British pipe makers, includig Oppenheimer and Charatan. My guess is that this one was made by Charatan.

how about Barling's quality on that year? as we knew, Barling nowday had quality decrease compared family era.

 

[ssjones]

how about Barling's quality on that year? as we knew, Barling nowday had quality decrease compared family era.

There is a reason the era's are delineated, the quality of the product is that reason. But, your example may be a great smoking pipe. Collectors don't focus on that era, so it isn't discussed much. I've never been a Barlings fan before, I do not like the flat, stick of gum like stems (well crafted, the shape just didn't suit my mouth or eyes). I picked up a 1965 hallmarked bent billiard (there's a thread on it here) and it smokes wonderfully, equal to my other classic Brits.

 

[tobakenist]

What a beauty, mid to late 70's, I have one similar and that's when I bought it new.

 

[Eswey]

There is a reason the era's are delineated, the quality of the product is that reason. But, your example may be a great smoking pipe. Collectors don't focus on that era, so it isn't discussed much. I've never been a Barlings fan before, I do not like the flat, stick of gum like stems (well crafted, the shape just didn't suit my mouth or eyes). I picked up a 1965 hallmarked bent billiard (there's a thread on it here) and it smokes wonderfully, equal to my other classic Brits.

thank you for the enlightenment. the price is 43USD, i think I'm gonna buy it

 

[Eswey]

What a beauty, mid to late 70's, I have one similar and that's when I bought it new.

do you mind to share about quality of your pipe? thanks in advance..

 

[sablebrush52]

how about Barling's quality on that year? as we knew, Barling nowday had quality decrease compared family era.

This is somewhat simplified, which is great because I've been able to stock up on some excellent smoking pipes for a fraction of the cost, in no small measure to collectors being generally ignorant or shallow.
Quality in the Barling factories did become more variable, certainly after the bloodletting during the summer of 1962 when the Imperial appointed general manger took over. But that doesn't mean that Barling factory made pipes (of which this one is not) all went to hell, not by a long shot. The other issue is that Barling also took over the manufacture of Titan pipes, so there was a lot more production running through the factory with a less experienced staff.

My first Barling pipe was a Canadian from this period. It smoked so well that it inspired my interest in Barling pipes. I now have about 100 Barlings spanning from 1883 to the early 1970's, and have done quite a bit of research on the brand.

In any event, concerns about the quality drop inside the Barling factories doesn't apply to this pipe. This one screams Charatan, and Charatan was a top tier pipe maker. Quality will be good.

 

[ssjones]

Sable says it's likely made by Charatan, and it sure looks like one. So, even in the 1970's, that's not a bad thing (if you like the freehand style).

 

[ssjones]

Hah, our replies came at the same time! Anytime I'm in alignment with a collector of Jesse's reputation, I feel good about that.

 

[Eswey]

This is somewhat simplified, which is great because I've been able to stock up on some excellent smoking pipes for a fraction of the cost, in no small measure to collectors being generally ignorant or shallow.
Quality in the Barling factories did become more variable, certainly after the bloodletting during the summer of 1962 when the Imperial appointed general manger took over. But that doesn't mean that Barling factory made pipes (of which this one is not) all went to hell, not by a long shot. The other issue is that Barling also took over the manufacture of Titan pipes, so there was a lot more production running through the factory with a less experienced staff.

My first Barling pipe was a Canadian from this period. It smoked so well that it inspired my interest in Barling pipes. I now have about 100 Barlings spanning from 1883 to the early 1970's, and have done quite a bit of research on the brand.

In any event, concerns about the quality drop inside the Barling factories doesn't apply to this pipe. This one screams Charatan, and Charatan was a top tier pipe maker. Quality will be good.

thanks for the enlightenment

 

[tobakenist]

do you mind to share about quality of your pipe? thanks in advance..

I collect Freehands as well as Petersons, my Barling Freehand smokes great, it was my first Freehand and it got me in to collecting them, most of mine are Danish but I have many from other countries, I have a few other Barling's that are great smokers but not Freehands, you have a great pipe there and I am sure it will serve you for many years, a great find, your a lucky man.