Charatan Experts--What Do I Have?

[ssjones]

I'd leave the top as is. Cool to get the confirmation from Ken on apprentice pipes.

 

[hoppes]

Here's the after pictures. Unfortunately the CP logo must have been stamped on with water based paint since it just washed off with water ?? I'll probably send it out to get a nice fresh CP stamping?? Left the chamber rim as so after cleaning it. Still haven't seen any history on the Free Hand Relief series and when this pipe might have been made. Have sent an inquiry to Havana House but so far no reply. Thanks for all the comments, Hoppes

 

[kenbarnes]

This straight Countryman is a lovely looking, craggy blasted pipe and, looking at it now, I think it is an old one from the 1960s. On this link, someone asked when the first freehands were produced at Charatan. Well, last week I visited Barry Jones and he has allowed me to 'clean up' the first ever freehand that he finished in 1961 and which Reuben said he could have - it does have one or two small sandspots on it. Prior to this, I think Reuben, Dan & Barry were making FH pipes that were 'free-hand' orthodox models. The next week Reuben asked Barry to stop turning the orthodox classical shapes and concentrate on making the first 12 freehand pieces for the Charatan shop in Whitcomb Street for Mr Lewington, who was the manager there. Reuben had already taken this one to show Mr Lewington and he had immediately ordered 24 pieces. I feel really honored to be asked to clean up the mouthpiece a little and to handle it. Barry did re-fit this pipe with one of the first DC mouthpieces three years later. I will take a photo or two of it soon and post it here.

 

[saltedplug]

George would not disagree.