Bit Styles and Time Periods

[Simplicity]

I recently purchased a Delacour Bros, LTD (DBL) pipe, hallmarked from 1915. When it arrived, I was surprised to see a slot bit on it. I have a number of older pipes from around this time period, all having the orific bit. I am confident the stem is original as the makers logo is still visible on it. My question is if there are rough guidelines on what bit styles were popular in different eras? It seems I need to readjust my assumptions as my previous thoughts were orific bits were popular until ~1930 and slot bits forward (with the different variations such as standard, fishtail, p-lip, denture, etc). I found some info on rebornpipes, but not with time frames.

Some pics of pipe in question:

 

[pepesdad1]

Huh. is all I can say.

 

[didimauw]

I don't know much on the subject, but the button looks like the same shape as one with an orific bit. More rounded. Weird!

 

[cosmicfolklore]

This is orific...

What you have is a modern factory made slot.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Crap, I didn't read your whole post. I have no idea when the slots came about. But, thank god they did. I hate orific bits.

 

[Simplicity]

This is orific... View attachment 103777

What you have is a modern factory made slot.

Right, I own quite a few with the orific style, with examples ranging from 1901 to 1924 (hallmarked). This is just odd to me as I believe the stem to be original with the makers logo still faintly present. Maybe just a well done replacement or they started this style earlier than I thought.

 

[greeneyes]

This slot is from a DBL De Luxe with original stem (stinger tube still stuck in it) that dates no later than 1910-20. It's possible your assumption about slots is incorrect.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Slots came about between the mid teens and twenties and were all but obsolete in the thirties. I wish more orific stems were available, getting oxidation out of estate button slots is a bitch.

 

[condorlover1]

Here is the best close up I can manage on yesterdays pipe if that's any help as this stem dates to the 19th century

 

[Simplicity]

This slot is from a DBL De Luxe with original stem (stinger tube still stuck in it) that dates no later than 1910-20. It's possible your assumption about slots is incorrect.
View attachment 104635

This is really interesting as I purchased a DBL bulldog last week that dates from 1896-1915 (date letter illegible, but city marks date to this period). It also has a slot stem. I thought maybe it was a replacement stem, now not so sure. So, have three early DBL pipes with a slot stem that all date before 1920. Data is telling the slot bits were used earlier than I thought.

 

[Simplicity]

…I wish more orific stems were available, getting oxidation out of estate button slots is a bitch.

True statement. Spent quite a bit of time yesterday cleaning one. The most recent pipe I have with an orific bit is a Leo Borgart Top Selection, which was made between 1990-2002 (it also has an amber stem).

 

[Simplicity]

Pics of the DBL bulldog:

 

[sablebrush52]

Orific bits were the standard during the 19th century and lasted until the late 1920's. Slots began to be used around the turn of century. My earliest slot dates to 1907.

 

[sablebrush52]

Added bonus point:

The earliest patent for a wide thin flat bite zone was taken out by Barling and dates to 1930.

 

[Simplicity]

Orific bits were the standard during the 19th century and lasted until the late 1920's. Slots began to be used around the turn of century. My earliest slot dates to 1907.

Awesome - thanks for confirming. Interesting that these DBL pipes used the slot during this time while all my Loewe pipes used the orific bit.

 

[sablebrush52]

Both Dunhill and Sasieni used slots. Of course, they were newcomers

 

[sablebrush52]

Awesome - thanks for confirming. Interesting that these DBL pipes used the slot during this time while all my Loewe pipes used the orific bit.

My one Delacour, from 1911, has a slot

 

[Simplicity]

My one Delacour, from 1911, has a slot

Quick question - on that 1911, was the silversmith Montague Friedlander or Auguste and Joseph Delacour?

 

[sablebrush52]

Quick question - on that 1911, was the silversmith Montague Friedlander or Auguste and Joseph Delacour?

Auguste and Joseph Delacour

 

[Ahi Ka]

I have a 1905 Oppenheimer, Seckel and co pipe with a slot bit. It was the earliest I had seen one and was super excited about it…then I showed Tim and he schooled me good.