Dunhill ring grain

[Haggard]

I have just bought this pipe on e-bay. I wasn't too interested in doing a pile of research on this pipe when I saw the listing because it's a pipe that I liked the look of and the price I paid ($325 + $25 to ship for $350 total) was within the realm of what I figured it might be worth on the spot. $25 to ship standard is a bit steep, I'd say, but it seemed like an ok deal.
Anyone know anything about these "ring grain" and bamboo stem pipes from a cost perspective? I looked for similar ones, but couldn't find anything too useful. Perhaps I got hosed on this deal, but I can't say I mind much as I like the look of it and I let that dictate cost.
I found a brand new pipe of this style from a store in Germany, but it wasn't a ring grain and it was about $150 more. It still looked nice, but the ring grain from the one I got (even as an estate that was supposedly only smoked with "natural" tobacco, -whatever that means- I'll smell it soon enough, I guess) pulled me in more. All things being equal, I would have paid the extra $150 for a new pipe.
I'm just curious about costs of ring grain and what this bamboo pipe would normally go for... I'm a merchant's wet dream, apparently.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dunhill-bamboo-4103-RING-GRAIN-with-box-sock-year-2010-L-N-/172279070847?ssPageName=ADME%3AX%3AAAQ%3AUS%3A1123&nma=true&si=x31pBhOdq2R%252FxTJsg6lI4q%252BNP8o%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

 

[iamn8]

I think that's a fair deal. I suspect a grade 4 ring grain w/bamboo in a retail setting would cost you in the neighborhood of $600-$700. Ring grain Dunhill are beautiful pipes. Coming from Italy, shipping cost sounds about right. For eBay I'd say you got a fair deal, nobody got hosed I love the contrast of the finish with the bamboo. I'm not normally one for the bamboo but against the dark pipe it's quite striking!

 

[Haggard]

Thanks for the info. Seemed like a fair deal to me too, which is why I bought it, but I wasn't entirely sure. I'm normally not interested in dressed up pipes either, but I had the same reaction and figured, why not? I saw another one in that group size with a smooth finish for around $630!

I thought the bamboo looked tacked on to the smooth bowl, but somehow working with the rusticated finish. Maybe that's just my bias because it's now mine... Anyway, I never would have gone for the smooth finish and bamboo.
If it's a disaster, I will put it up for sale and hopefully not lose much, but I want it to smoke well so it can stick with me for the long run because I like the look of that particular one with the ring grain. I'd no idea ring grain was even a thing, but it's certainly noticeable now that it has been pointed out to me and it seemed like a decent addition to the collection. We'll see in "15-20 working days". Which was why I thought $25 a little steep on shipping with those times and that kind of value spent.
It's being shipped from Italy to Germany. Didn't seem very far. Maybe that's the going rate though. I was told ahead of time what shipping was, so that wasn't a deal breaker, obviously.

 

[papipeguy]

Very nice pipe. I'd say you've done very well. Enjoy it.

 

[gloucesterman]

I would agree. The price seems in line with the quality and condition and $25 from overseas is in a pretty standard range these days. It's really a handsome pipe, very distinguished. Enjoy

 

[pagan]

Well done sir

 

[fishnbanjo]

You did very well average shipping from Italy is in the $25 range and generally gets here faster than pipes shipped from the west coast to the east coast, nearly flipped when I nabbed a pipe from Neatpipes on their Wednesday special and had it in my hands in Maine on Friday! I think you will enjoy that Dunhill, regards.

banjo

 

[ssjones]

I'd also say you did well. I don't often look for Dunhills,but I rarely see the Ring Grain finish. It looks to be in great shape.

 

[Haggard]

I'm glad to hear that the deal was a good one. I made a lower offer than what it was listed for and he took it, so we were both satisfied. Still, hearing that this is what you can expect to pay for this type of pipe will make it smoke all the more sweeter.
As long as it doesn't have any major defects, and the listing says it's in good condition, I think it will be fun to smoke. I'll drop you all a line when it finally arrives.
My major question was about the ring grain. I had no idea that it was even a condition to be listed as. I've only ever seen birds eye or flame grain, etc. Admittedly, I'd never looked so hard, but I was surprised to see it, which also helped make the decision rather quickly.
If anyone else has a ring grain pipe, I'd like to see a picture of it.

 

[ssjones]

Typically, the "Shilling" is more often seen, which according to Pipepedia uses the Cumberland finish. I was thining about the Shilling earlier and I can't really say when (if ever) that I've seen a Ring Grain stamped pipe. Apparently the Ring Grain is only used on Shell finish pipes. I must say that the grain on yours is spectacular!

 

[fishnbanjo]

Here is a Ring Grain I recently purchased privately for the same amount the OP purchased theirs for, it is a Lovat and if you enlarge the second photo you will see it is a 3110 shape and is stamped Ring Grain, regards.

banjo

 

[mso489]

Seems steep, but it's a Dunhill and that's the market. Beautiful pipe.