Comoys Washers

[nathan30]

I have an old grand slam and was wondering if anyone has replaced the leather washers with rubber or silicone orings?

 

[doctorbob]

I did try sheet rubber cut to the right size using biopsy punches, and it worked as well as the leather washers so go ahead and try.
I have smoked several pipes with that system (A fair number of prewar Royal Comoys had them) and truly think they smoke much better with the apparatus removed entirely.
I did have a box of #4 washers that I sold last year, and they occasionally pop up on e-bay.
Doc

 

[nathan30]

Ok I may remove it just trying to keep up with pieces is a hard task at times