BBB Centenary Pipes - Info Needed

[ssjones]

Does anyone have information regarding the BBB "Centenary Pipes"? I took a chance and bought this one yesterday, a bullcap. The pictures aren't great. The seller says it is stamped "Best Make BBB Centenary 1847-1947" and includes the box (but no picture of mention if it is the correct box).
Is this from 1947, or a remake? I find no mention of the "Cenetary Pipes" anywhere on the limited BBB information pages.





I found a few completed auctions, but all of the pictures are gone. This one has in the description:

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Rare-Vintage-BBB-Best-Make-034-Centenary-034-1847-1947-Briar-Estate-Pipe-Pipa-Pfeife-/162025469099
If course the seller could well be making an assumption.

"BBB" rhombus logo above "Best Make" on one side of the briar shank, with "Centenary"

over "1847-1947" on the other side. "Made in England" is on the base.

The BBB rhombus is also on the stem, however this has faded and is now hardly visible.

 

[mawnansmiff]

"I find no mention of the "Cenetary Pipes" anywhere..."
Al, try searching for 'centenary pipes', I just did and saw a few mentions on Google.
Regards,
Jay.

 

[ssjones]

I've googled it 18 ways from China and found almost nothing via Google, save those two old ebay ads, and now this thread.

 

[ssjones]

I did update the spelling, thanks! A few Peterson references popped up, but no BBB

 

[mawnansmiff]

Well blow me Al, when I searched there was a BBB catalogue or book mentioned. It might have been for sale but I can't be certain but it was towards the top of the listings.
Try again with various permutations of 'BBB', 'Centenary' and 'Pipe'.
Regards,
Jay.

 

[buckaroo]

I've seen 2 or 3 of these before (Judd on Ebay BIN.) I was able to find info on them way back when, but I don't think I kept it. Not too common. No reason to doubt the 1947 as they all were stamped like that as I remember. The ones Judd had were 1847 to '50's if I remember. Almost bought one.

 

[ssjones]

There is a book about the BBB Centenary, but it is pretty rare and no online reference, so I dont know if it talks about these pipes. They apparently came in different shapes.

 

[ssjones]

The pipe was finally delivered, with a few hiccups along the way from the seller. The box it was listed as couldn't be found, too bad, it may have provided more info.
Here's the Reborn Pipes blog entry:

https://rebornpipes.com/2017/07/09/bbb-centenary-bullcap-restored/
I was worried the stem might have been a replacement, but with the pipe in hand, it was stamped on the opposite side with the BBB rhombus. The nomenclature was outstanding, but the stamps on the stem made it a challenge.
The nomenclature:

https://rebornpipes.files.wordpress.com/2017/07/bbb_centenary_bullcap_before-6-e1499614110134.jpg?w=625&h=469

And it had a push-fit stinger, which kept the inside of the shank quite clean!

And the rest. At 25 grams, with a smaller bowl, it would be a great flake pipe.

The hand-cut button is really nice.

 

[pitchfork]

Great pipe! Not sure if you answered your question already, but my understanding is that they're from 1947 or there abouts. The lack of a brass rondel suggests pre-50s, I think.

 

[buroak]

This would have been made in the days after BBB lost its full independence, but it looks like a very nice pipe all the same. You can find the Centenary catalog from Briar Books Press. I agree with Pitchfork that the stem strongly suggests pre-50s manufacture.

 

[danielplainview]

I agree with pitchfork. The stamped in pre- brass stem logo looks to be period correct. I've worked on a few pretty old BBB's and that's how they all looked. Great looking survivor. The nomenclature is outstanding. I call first dibs if you sell... :wink:

 

[ssjones]

Thanks guys. I'm mulling over selling it Dave, if so, you get 1st dibs.