That is a fantastic looking calabash Thom.
Treat the bowl just like any other meer...keep the cake to the lowest minimum you can. The bowl can be waxed, which will keep it easier to clean and help with the coloring.
Keep the cork gasket lubed once in a blue moon. Otherwise, these are fairly carefree pipes.
Great smokers and largely not talked about. They will tame the bite of the worst tobaccos and smoke just about anything.
You'll think of your Dad everytime you look at it.