Comoy’s Old Bruyere Conundrum - Need Help

[ashdigger]

I have a Comoy’s Old Bruyere sold by John’s Pipe Shop Los Angeles.

The problem comes from the hallmarked repair band.

The band has L&AO in an oval which tracks to Louis Orlik Alfred Orlik the three marks are the Lion Passant, the Chester Mark and the Cursive Letter “P” for 1915.

John’s Pipe Shop from what I read opened in 1908 so to me it’s theoretically possible, but I think unlikely based on how Old Bruyere is stamped.

I have an Old Bruyere with an accent on Bruyére and I have three others without the accent.

I’d rather be wrong and learn than correct and remain ignorant on why.

Here are pictures.



Here’s the example with the accent along with Made in London rugby style on the other side of t


Here’s an example without the accent. It has Made in England rugby style on the other side of the shank



Neither of these pipes have the 3-piece C.

 

[Ahi Ka]

Just to clarify, are you asking which of the three marks are either fake/not original to the pipe’s actual provenance?

 

[ashdigger]

Pipes actual provenance. My guess is the repair band was just handy.

 

[Ahi Ka]

Pipes actual provenance. My guess is the repair band was just handy.

My assumption too but keen to see who chimes in

 

[ssjones]

I'm not a silversmith, but have removed a few bands in my day. It looks like some reworked the band to fit the pipe (the bowl edge looks manipulated). I'd say someone was opportunistic making a repair with what they had on hand. A pretty cool combination, if you ask me!

 

[jguss]

Ash, I agree the Orlik band is an improvisation. I’m out of town and have to work from memory but will make two points: first (and most importantly) Henri Comoy began registering hallmarks in 1884; unlike a few of the smaller pipemakers he would not have been dependent on someone else to supply the silverwork; second, I don’t think the Old Bruyere line existed in 1915. I know it’s conspicuous by its absence from the pre-war catalog, and as I recall starts showing up in advertisements about 1919. Rgds, Jon

 

[captainsousie]

@ashdigger You say "repair band", does that mean that there is a visible shank crack? Maybe I missed it if you wrote that but it interests me.

 

[ChuckMijo]

If I understand your question correctly. They used a much older hallmarked band on a OB which is later then then hallmark. I would think the repair shop had a band laying around and it fit so they used it. I don’t believe that was a uncommon practice. So it was just handy.

 

[ashdigger]

@ashdigger You say "repair band", does that mean that there is a visible shank crack? Maybe I missed it if you wrote that but it interests me.

Oh, there is definitely a crack. The crack looks unstable as hell, but I currently have zero concerns because the pipe smokes great.

I’ll probably get adventurous and at least drill a small hole to stop the crack and epoxy it.

Either way I’ll do the repair myself. If the pipe gets ruined then it happens at my hands and not the hands of a paid “restoration” butcher.

Here are photos.

 

[captainsousie]

Oh, there is definitely a crack. The crack looks unstable as hell, but I currently have zero concerns because the pipe smokes great.

I’ll probably get adventurous and at least drill a small hole to stop the crack and epoxy it.

Either way I’ll do the repair myself. If the pipe gets ruined then it happens at my hands and not the hands of a paid “restoration” butcher.

Here are photos.

View attachment 65960View attachment 65962View attachment 65963

Thanks for that. With that info, I will concur with the rest who say this was a conveniently available band that was adapted to the pipe at a later date.

 

[sablebrush52]

Definitely an opportunistic use of a band from another maker to do the repair. Comoy made their own sterling bands.

 

[ashdigger]

Definitely an opportunistic use of a band from another maker to do the repair. Comoy made their own sterling bands.

Absolutely. It’s definitely interesting and worth the effort of saving nonetheless

 

[sablebrush52]

Absolutely. It’s definitely interesting and worth the effort of saving nonetheless

You betcha! A bit of history stamped on that pipe!

 

[Ahi Ka]

Could always swap out the stem for a plip to get another house represented also

 

[ashdigger]

You my friend are GENIUS!!

There is a Comoy’s on eBay right now with a Dunhill stem.

Even I wouldn’t besmirch Comoy that way