Dating this GBD "Natural" 9685

[randyb]

I'm wondering if anyone has seen this one before. I'm not finding the line name or shape number in any of the common places used for researching these things. I've only seen some limited documentation of one previous sale in 2012, but the original listing isn't available anymore. The linear "LONDON ENGLAND" stamp on the right shank, and the brass rondelle set in the stem place it's production with certainty prior to becoming one with Comoy's in 1981, but that's all I've got. I acquired it new in about 1979.
Here is a link to the aggregation site that posted the sale record:
http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/gbd-natural-vintage-golden-rondelle-291882697
My pipe...

Thanks for any light anyone can shed on this.
Randy

 

[ssjones]

There are seemingly hundreds of GBD anomalies, since I'v been tracking them. Unusual line names and shape numbers. I've seen brass rondells on pipes stamped with the round "Made in London, England", normally associated with the stamped stem logo of a post-Cadogan era pipe (made after 1981).
I have a 9438 with the brass rondell and "London, England" stamp with a "Flame Grain" stamp, I've also not seen that finish used anywhere else.
Such are the mysteries of GBD!

 

[randyb]

Yes, these mysteries are the vagaries of pipe marketing departments the world over!

 

[misterlowercase]

This spot is good info on GBD,

http://www.perardua.net/pipes/GBDlines.html
I'd reckon the Natural to be one of the later lines?

There's a few still on archive from online sellers,
http://www.smokershaven.com/gbdnatural9456.aspx
http://www.marscigars.com/browseproducts/GBD--Natural--256.html
...and speaking of anomalies,

have you ever seen an upside down rondell?
Here's one on a 9438,

http://www.marscigars.com/browseproducts/GBD-Channel-9438.html
That's really cool you got it new in 1979,

I wish I had picked up pipe smoking much earlier,

I'd be pretty well set by now!

 

[randyb]

Ahh, thanks, I've seen the perardua site before and forgotten about it. Just my luck though, no information on the Natural. Thanks for the links to those other photos, I hadn't seen them before.
That rondelle is truly an anomaly! One runs across those once in a great while, and they always give me a chuckle. Makes you wonder if the stem department had a few too many pints at lunch that day!