Dunhill, My First

[wadmacallit]

purchased my first dunhill today. its a shell briar, with the number 4203. great looking billiard and it was $350 at my local B&M. the pipe basically has been sitting on the back shelf for years and i just couldnt help myself. i would post picks but i just dont know how. the stem is a little oxidized, but that will be taken care of in a minute.

i feel it was a good deal, thoughts?

does 4203 mean anything?

any special handling when it comes to that metal tenon that runs through the stem and into the bowl?
don't want to sound ignorant, but never been educated in dunhill, but excited to finally have one. havent decided yet but it will either be a virginia pipe or vapor.
on another note, i bought a gepetto canadian a few months back and just want to throw it out how great of a smoker it is!!!

 

[numbersix]

Congrats! I love my Dunhill. Sorry I cannot comment on the value.

 

[kashmir]

4203: The 4 means group 4 sized bowl (range from 1 to 6). The 2 means a saddle shaped bit. The 03 means the shape which in this case means a billiard.
1st digit - denotes the size of the pipe - 1 through 6 2nd digit - denotes the style of the mouthpiece (0,1=tapered, 2=saddle) 3rd and 4th digits - denote the generic pipe shape.
You can throw away the aluminum innertube. It was invented before there were pipe cleaners. Today its just for show & tell.
Pipedia - Dunhill
http://pipedia.org/wiki/Dunhill

 

[wadmacallit]

 

[kashmir]

Now, that's a beautiful pipe!

 

[teufelhund]

Nice looking pipe you have there... I think it's worth $350 if that's what you paid to have it; there's no price on enjoyment. It's all subjective. Although I would have asked him to throw in some cleaner for the oxidation :nana:

 

[foggymountain]

Was it a new pipe? If so you got a very good price. If used. it was too expensive. The metal thing inside is called an inner tube. It was invented before pipecleaners. You were supposed to take it out and wash it to clean the pipe. It is not needed with pipecleaners, and just accumulates tobacco stains. You don't have to use it.

 

[irishflake]

CONGRATULATIONS! That is a BEAUTY! I love my shell pipe! I like size 4 best of all. I have a bulldog. That was a good price too, from a shop! Yes by all means keep the aluminum tube, don't throw it away!

 

[zonomo]

Very nice. I dont have a Dunny yet. Not sure I want one except I may get my birthday year pipe this year (I turn 50).

4203: The 4 means group 4 sized bowl (range from 1 to 6). The 2 means a saddle shaped bit. The 03 means the shape which in this case means a billiard.

Thats real interesting. Didn't know that - thanks for sharing that.

 

[flmason]

Congratulations on your new pipe. I hope you enjoy it for many years to come.

 

[allan]

Many folks believe that Dunhills are overpriced. Maybe they are right.
I own 4 and love every one. They are full bents all the way to Oom Paul shape. I have come to discover, thanks to this forum and cigarmaster, other fine makes especially Rad Davis.
But I love my Dunhills.
Enjoy your piece of history

 

[gwtwdbss]

Nice pipe. What year was it made? The number is usually after the England stamp. Dunhill's are sometimes tricky to date though. I find this link useful. You can also get dating info from the site as well.
http://pipephil.eu/logos/en/dunhill/shapes.html
Congrats!

 

[wadmacallit]

after the england stamp is "30" real small

 

[ssjones]

That is from 1990. That stem will shine up nicely - but be careful not to round the edges.

 

[docwatson]

It won't be your last!!! Once you find out about the fine smoking qualities of the Dunhill Shells and the history behind the stampings you will be on your way to collecting them. It's a great adventure in smoking and history. Congrats on a fine looking pipe, and I really like the saddle bit.

 

[kashmir]

Yep, like Al said: 30 signifies 1990. Of all the old brands, only Dunhills can be dated to the exact year.