When I look at those old Wellingtons, I’m reminded there’s nothing new, under the sun.
At the turn of the last century, WDC was selling a truly universal smoking pipe that to this day, cannot be improved as a smoking machine, not considering changing fashions and styles.
It didn’t really need the metal shank cap or the flange on the stem.
But the entire thing was machine made, the stems were moulded, and even though they might have used unbelievable quality Algerian briar, they varnished the low grades and shipped them.
There were Wellingtons made and sold until not that many years ago. Not considering style, it was the best factory pipe ever made.