Cavalier Meerschaum - Will It Smoke?

[metalheadycigarguy]

So I bought this meerschaum pipe back in 2016-17 from a fellow YouTuber at the time who was needing money for a personal emergency. It's not really my style due to the length, but for the price, I said what the heck. Plus you can seen that it can be shortened. When it arrived I noticed some hair-line cracks in several spots. Now this YouTuber had got it from another individual, so it's been through the mail a couple times, so it was likely damaged in shipping, even though it came in a case. Based on the circumstances I wasn't going to send it back, so it's sat on my pipe shelf since I acquired it, and never smoked. We'll, today I said... let's go for it!!!

Here are multiple pictures showing the pipe and the cracks... just in case things go bad and it breaks. You'll notice that even though it hasn't been smoked it has developed some patina from sitting on my pipe shelf for the past 7-8 years. So here goes...

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

One way to find out. Load it and light it.

 

[craiginthecorn]

Yeah man, don't keep us in suspense. Light 'er up! What's the worst that can happen? Fingers crossed for a brilliant, and uneventful smoke.

 

[64alex]

The cracks looks superficial and not running through the entire thickness of the wall so I think it should be safe to smoke. Not my style but a beautiful one and it should color nicely.

 

[metalheadycigarguy]

So, I smoked 3 bowls in the Cavalier yesterday over about a 5 hour time frame. It's not a large bowl, and I went slow to ensure the pipe didn't get too hot. I did not notice any real heat on either side of the shank or the bottom of the pipe where the cracks are. The only place I noticed the pipe getting hot was in the face of the Cavalier as the meerschaum is thin there, and not as thick as the other areas, such as his hat. The pipe smoked great. Cool, dry and a great draw. I can see this being a very nice smoking pipe going forward.

 

[metalheadycigarguy]

Does anyone recognize this case/box that this Cavalier pipe came in? I'm trying figure out who the maker is. I think I've narrowed it down to GBD or Royal Meerschaum. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[BingBong]

Isn't that called a Saracen?

 

[Waning Embers]

Does anyone recognize this case/box that this Cavalier pipe came in?

They're kind of a generic fit box newer carvers use. This Birinci for example prior to him signing his work.

 

[metalheadycigarguy]

Isn't that called a Saracen?

I don't believe Saracen's wear hats with feathers in them as you would see with the Cavaliers. I could be wrong as I'm not really knowledgeable on the Arab soldiers. I'm pretty sure it's supposed to be a Cavalier, at least that's what it looks like to me.

 

[metalheadycigarguy]

They're kind of a generic fit box newer carvers use. This Birinci for example prior to him signing his work.
View attachment 366267View attachment 366268

This is wear my problem is. When I've tried to research the pipe, I've found that Royal Meerschaum as well as GBD have used these types of cases, and unknown who else, so I'm left not knowing at the moment. Unfortunately there is no nomenclature on the pipe either, so it's another unknown carver.

 

[Waning Embers]

This is wear my problem is. When I've tried to research the pipe, I've found that Royal Meerschaum as well as GBD have used these types of cases, and unknown who else, so I'm left not knowing at the moment. Unfortunately there is no nomenclature on the pipe either, so it's another unknown carver.

The only reason I know who carved mine was a chance purchase over 10 years ago directly from the carver on ebay.

 

[metalheadycigarguy]

The only reason I know who carved mine was a chance purchase over 10 years ago directly from the carver on ebay.

This pipe belonged to a YT pipe smoker who passed away. His son, also a YT pipe smoker gave it away to another YT pipe smoker, and I bought it from him. The son who initially gifted it, did not have any knowledge of the pipe, so at this point I can only guess. My gut tells me GBD from what I've researched, but that's purely a guess.

 

[Waning Embers]

This pipe belonged to a YT pipe smoker who passed away. His son, also a YT pipe smoker gave it away to another YT pipe smoker, and I bought it from him. The son who initially gifted it, did not have any knowledge of the pipe, so at this point I can only guess. My gut tells me GBD from what I've researched, but that's purely a guess.

The only argument I can think of against GBD is that their rondell appears on their meerschaum stems.

 

[metalheadycigarguy]

The only argument I can think of against GBD is that their rondell appears on their meerschaum stems.

True. It was purely a guess on my part. When I acquired it back in 2017 I went online and from what I could see from GBD and Royal Meerschaum, GBD seemed like the likely distributor based on the carving of the pipe, but again that was just a guess from what I was looking at at that time. I apparently I didn't consider the stamping/nomenclature that GBD uses. LOL

 

[metalheadycigarguy]

*** Update ***
Well, about halfway through, what would have been bowl No. 5, second one this evening, and I heard it. The crackling of the meerschaum. That slow crackling kept going as I pulled the pipe from my mouth and saw the very large crack still going. I gently set the pipe down as I believed it was literally going to break in my hands.

Well, to answer the original question... yes it will smoke, one, two, three, four, crack. Such a shame as it was actually a great smoking pipe. Now, back to the display shelf, to never be smoked again.

 

[wyfbane]

My condolences. It is a fine looking pipe. Will still make a great display piece.

 

[metalheadycigarguy]

Yep, back to the display shelf, to forever be a conversation piece. Of course that's no different than the last 8 or so years where it sat on display.