Birth year Dunhills?

[Sobrbiker]

Well, since this saga began on this thread, I deem it only appropriate that I share with the members, a wonderful story......

Early on the thread, I posted that I have been looking for my Birth year Dunhill, from 1956, for years, but just didn't find what I was looking for. Shortly after the post, our own @Grangerous, posted a photo of a 1956 that he owned and smoked on special occasions.

I sent Jim (oops, I've revealed his "secret identity") a private message inquiring if he might be willing to sell it. Without getting too verbose and wordy, he kindly said that he understood the desire to own a birth year dunny, as he has been trying to find one that he liked of his own year, and that he would sell it. The price was very, very fair and the deal was made.

It arrived yesterday and is just beautiful. It is a group 4 Shell with a forward cant and an oval stem. As I told Jim, "it is in much better shape at 68 years of age, than I am, ha." Not only did he send me the pipe, in a box and a bag and wrapped like the Holy Grail, but he generously sent me three baggies of tobaccos that he favors in his personal rotation AND some pipe cleaners! I mean, who does that type of thing???

Anyway, while he doesn't know that I'm gonna post this, it needs to be said that there are still very good and decent people out there and this forum has an ample number as members.

***Oh, and get this.... over the past few days, while working this out, he stumbles onto his own birth year Dunhill that fits all of his criteria. Now, is that karma or what..........

Thanks again, Jim, for everything, and I plan on giving it it's first smoke later today after I feed the horses.

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Very cool!
There is an awesome membership here, and I love seeing karma in action.
I received an offer a while back to purchase a birth year Dunhill at the member’s cost, but have honestly been afraid to even ask what that was after looking into the market…

 

[xrundog]

Well, since this saga began on this thread, I deem it only appropriate that I share with the members, a wonderful story......

Early on the thread, I posted that I have been looking for my Birth year Dunhill, from 1956, for years, but just didn't find what I was looking for. Shortly after the post, our own @Grangerous, posted a photo of a 1956 that he owned and smoked on special occasions.

I sent Jim (oops, I've revealed his "secret identity") a private message inquiring if he might be willing to sell it. Without getting too verbose and wordy, he kindly said that he understood the desire to own a birth year dunny, as he has been trying to find one that he liked of his own year, and that he would sell it. The price was very, very fair and the deal was made.

It arrived yesterday and is just beautiful. It is a group 4 Shell with a forward cant and an oval stem. As I told Jim, "it is in much better shape at 68 years of age, than I am, ha." Not only did he send me the pipe, in a box and a bag and wrapped like the Holy Grail, but he generously sent me three baggies of tobaccos that he favors in his personal rotation AND some pipe cleaners! I mean, who does that type of thing???

Anyway, while he doesn't know that I'm gonna post this, it needs to be said that there are still very good and decent people out there and this forum has an ample number as members.

***Oh, and get this.... over the past few days, while working this out, he stumbles onto his own birth year Dunhill that fits all of his criteria. Now, is that karma or what..........

Thanks again, Jim, for everything, and I plan on giving it it's first smoke later today after I feed the horses.

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Looks good on ya!

 

[Grangerous]

Well, since this saga began on this thread, I deem it only appropriate that I share with the members, a wonderful story......

Early on the thread, I posted that I have been looking for my Birth year Dunhill, from 1956, for years, but just didn't find what I was looking for. Shortly after the post, our own @Grangerous, posted a photo of a 1956 that he owned and smoked on special occasions.

I sent Jim (oops, I've revealed his "secret identity") a private message inquiring if he might be willing to sell it. Without getting too verbose and wordy, he kindly said that he understood the desire to own a birth year dunny, as he has been trying to find one that he liked of his own year, and that he would sell it. The price was very, very fair and the deal was made.

It arrived yesterday and is just beautiful. It is a group 4 Shell with a forward cant and an oval stem. As I told Jim, "it is in much better shape at 68 years of age, than I am, ha." Not only did he send me the pipe, in a box and a bag and wrapped like the Holy Grail, but he generously sent me three baggies of tobaccos that he favors in his personal rotation AND some pipe cleaners! I mean, who does that type of thing???

Anyway, while he doesn't know that I'm gonna post this, it needs to be said that there are still very good and decent people out there and this forum has an ample number as members.

***Oh, and get this.... over the past few days, while working this out, he stumbles onto his own birth year Dunhill that fits all of his criteria. Now, is that karma or what..........

Thanks again, Jim, for everything, and I plan on giving it it's first smoke later today after I feed the horses.

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@Choatcav lies! I’m not a nice man! I have a reputation to uphold around here! Det-Cord in your pipe shank, Mark. Go ahead… Light it!

I’m very glad you like it, Sir. Many pleasant hours to you.

When my new to me ‘64 Bruyere arrives later this week… I’ll share some pics too. -Jim

 

[Choatecav]

@Choatcav lies! I’m not a nice man! I have a reputation to uphold around here! Det-Cord in your pipe shank, Mark. Go ahead… Light it!
View attachment 341850
I’m very glad you like it, Sir. Many pleasant hours to you.

When my new to me ‘64 Bruyere arrives later this week… I’ll share some pics too. -Jim

Oh, yeah, I forgot about your "reputation...."

Did I mention that Jim likes to bite the heads off of chickens and is not nice to kittens????

 

[Merton]

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My birth year and war year 1943, sorry about the molding picture, big fingers

I really like the molding!

 

[EA/DC]

One more 1968 "birthyear Dunhill pipe" beside my very great/small Dunhill 105 F/T Shell briar 1S...


A well (ab)used Dunhill LBS F/T * (4S).

 

[xrundog]

I have a couple 1959 Dunhills. The nicer one is this lovat Shell #40 4S.

 

[Choatecav]

I have a couple 1959 Dunhills. The nicer one is this lovat Shell #40 4S.

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Very nice looking pipe and it looks to be in great shape. I have a little Parker in the lovat style from the fifties.
You see a lot of those from that era. I assume that was a really popular style back in the day.

If any of you know any history on the lovat style and when it was really trendy, please share....

 

[pappymac]

That’s not necessarily true. Originally it was 1962, then 1964 then 1968 was the cutoff. Dunhill has always produced a high quality product but, as others have opined; it’s a pipe. Nothing mystical.

Circa 1970, Dunhill decided that the Shell Briars should now be “shiny black” so gone was the recognizable red/black and enter a new era of deep Blue/Black staining.. characteristic of modern Shells.

Also due the the war, Dunhill in the late 60’s early 70’s couldn’t source Algerian Briar and began using Briar from Greece. While it did yield a different finish, less craggy, it likely mattered little to the quality.

These changes at this period in history have led some to believe that the best pipes were produced prior. I say that’s nonsense.

Fact is: There are poor smoking examples and there are great smoking examples found among samples of both eras.

Dunhill can be relied upon as one of the higher quality manufacturers of pipes that exist among many equally enjoyable pipes across countless manufacturers.

Okay. Either my brain is not comprehending something or I haven't had enough coffee this morning.
What war in the late 60s & early 70s prevented Dunhill from sourcing Algerian Briar? I know they couldn't source briar during WWII but how did that connect to the 60s?

 

[PaulRVA]

Okay. Either my brain is not comprehending something or I haven't had enough coffee this morning.
What war in the late 60s & early 70s prevented Dunhill from sourcing Algerian Briar? I know they couldn't source briar during WWII but how did that connect to the 60s?

Maybe the Algerian War 50’s-60’s

 

[pappymac]

Maybe the Algerian War 50’s-60’s

Okay. That makes sense. I forgot about that war.

 

[PaulRVA]

I o

Okay. That makes sense. I forgot about that war.

I only remembered it because of an Anthony Quinn movie so don’t feel too bad.

 

[Choatecav]

I o

I only remembered it because of an Anthony Quinn movie so don’t feel too bad.

Paul, I thought same thing..... Wasn't it called "Lost Command?"

 

[PaulRVA]

Paul, I thought same thing..... Wasn't it called "Lost Command?"

That’s the one !

 

[Grangerous]

I finally own my Birth-Year Dunhill.

Arrived yesterday… A Model 64 from ‘64! How befitting!

I want to share her maiden voyage… I’ve decided on some aged Pegasus.

She’s a tiny little thing. Group #1

Smokes cool. I prefer a flatter bit for a secure clench. I find myself having to hold this Bing Crosby’s style. But, she’s certainly found a home in my collection.

Finally, BlueRoomBriars? These men understand what customer service means and it’s hard to shop anywhere else. Thanks, again guys.

 

[Choatecav]

Beautiful little pipe and just perfect for those "special occasions" that you speak about.

Enjoy your "64 from '64" and may it give you many years of good smoking.

 

[craiginthecorn]

I just picked up this unique 1960 Dunhill 34/8 F/T Group 2R Billiard from Steve Norse at the Vegas show. It was part of JT Cooke's collection that Steve has been selling on his vermontfreehand.com site. An interesting feature is that it's a military mount, but the vulcanite ferrule is threaded into the shank. That's very useful when removing oxidation from the ferrule.

 

[jpmcwjr]

My 67 billiard. It came with a dental bit, which I hated. A little work with some fine sanding fixed it. I realize that might be a bit sacrilegious, but I decided it's my pipe, why not. It's not in my regular rotation, but I like it a lot and is a great smoker.

Is there any indication that the stem is original? Regardless, make the bit just as you like it!

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[jpmcwjr]

My newly acquired Shell Briar Billiard has an indistinct date code. I'm leaning toward 7, but there's a huge element of wishful thinking as it would be a birth year example. I'll throw the question open. It was sold as "probably 1950s".

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Could be a 0 though.

Try shooting outdoors but not in direct sunlight. NO flash! And try with different angles of light- you may be able to pull more info out.

 

[Choatecav]

I just picked up this unique 1960 Dunhill 34/8 F/T Group 2R Billiard from Steve Norse at the Vegas show. It was part of JT Cooke's collection that Steve has been selling on his vermontfreehand.com site. An interesting feature is that it's a military mount, but the vulcanite ferrule is threaded into the shank. That's very useful when removing oxidation from the ferrule.
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Beautiful pipe with graceful lines, Craig.
Was the "military mount" done by Dunhill or was that a later modification?