Dunhill Twin Bore Mouthpiece/Stem?

[donk]

Picked up a lovely Dunhill Shell 1960, Group 4, Canadian on Ebay.
Upon receipt I saw that the stem/mouthpiece was a twin bore....like a Radice.

White dot on top of stem.
My research hasn't brought forth any Dunhill's with a twin hole stem.
Any insight from the forum?

 

[mso489]

I can offer a minor clue. About six years ago at my local chain tobacco shop (Tinder Box) I spotted a handsomely shaped semi-bent Dublin, smooth, in a snazzy light stain. It was a Britannia pipe, which I think is one of those marques with some affiliation with the Dunhill company -- owned by them, or contracted by them, or some such. I liked this pipe so much, I bought it without noticing it was a twin bore. I know, I know, what an oversight. Big buyer's remorse followed. But then, I discovered it was a fine, smooth smoker, and pipe cleaners passed easily through both bores. Basically, the twin bore was just no problem. I can't say it improved the smoke in any discernible way, but it caused no problem. So this twin bore bit has been lingering around the pipe industry in England for quite a while, and they seem to have learned to use it successfully. I wouldn't go shopping for a twin-bore, but it wouldn't be a deal-killer.

 

[donk]

Thank you of your response.

My question is more to the originality of the mouthpiece than the smoking.

 

[georged]

I've not seen or heard of a Dunhill twin-bore stem in the decades I've been interested in the brand.
That said, for all their reputation as a snobby and straitlaced "gentleman's" pipemaker, the pre-mid 60's Dunhill shop produced an amazing number of one-offs, special requests, and smoking curiosities. Meaning pretty much ANYTHING is potentially legit.
Can you post some photos?

 

[misterlowercase]

I've not seen or heard of a Dunhill twin-bore stem in the decades I've been interested in the brand.
That said, for all their reputation as a snobby and straitlaced "gentleman's" pipemaker, the pre-mid 60's Dunhill shop produced an amazing number of one-offs, special requests, and smoking curiosities. Meaning pretty much ANYTHING is potentially legit.

So true.
In a discussion about a bizarre copper-covered Dunhill, I posted pix of an equally bizarre silver-bitted dunhill:

http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/dunhill-copper-covered-pipe-a-rare-factory-piece
It was apparently a factory option - I later found an Ashton done up the same way...

Likewise,

if I was shown a Dunhill with this sort of stem, I would question the originality,

but it is actually an original design, patented in 1910:

http://worldwide.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/originalDocument?CC=GB&NR=191000639A&KC=A&FT=D&ND=3&date=19101222&DB=EPODOC&locale=en_EP
:

 

[agnosticpipe]

Not sure a silver bitted mouth piece would be that comfortable, and I can't see it's purpose. If you were a clencher it might be hard on the teeth. Unless it was made for Richard Kiel, aka "Jaws" in the Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me.

 

[ssjones]

"Twin Bore" stems (ala City Deluxe) were supposed to be "bite proof", with the additional vulcanite. I've also never seen a Dunhill version and I'd love to see a picture. (particularly the button-end)

 

[donk]

My apologies, but I lack the expertise to post a picture.

Imagine a black Radice mouthpiece with a white dot on the top.

My research is starting to point that this was an after-sale add-on from a pipe repair or customization.

 

[misterlowercase]

Hey Donk,

just checked my handy 1928 Dunhill catalogue reprint,

available via Briar Book Press:

http://www.briarbooks.com/Dunhill_1928_Catalogue.php
Lo and behold.
The twin-bore was actually available!
In Dunhill speak it is a "Two-Way"...

It would be great if you could find a way to post pictures,

especially details of the button and tenon,

George is well-versed and very knowledgeable and would be able to almost certainly recognize if the stem is from the factory or from an aftermarket replacement.
If it is real,

it is quite rare and scarce I'd say!
:!:

::

 

[pitchfork]

I wouldn't assume just yet that the stem isn't genuine. As others have said, Dunhill used to offer all kinds of options and one-off features for customers who asked. Not sure if you ever use any kind of digital camera or smart phone, donk, but If you were to email another member a photo of the stem, I'm sure they wouldn't mind posting it for you.

 

[misterlowercase]

The old depicted Dunhill twin-bore is quite the oddity, eh?
The airholes exit on the button corners!
Strange,

and pretty neat too.
The design may have been modified for more practical application in later years,

as the catalogue was circa 1928, and I'm sure that they improved it over the years,

especially if they had a segment of customers in need of such a thing.

 

[brudnod]

A fair number of Design Berlin pipes have this dual twin bore mouthpiece and they seem to smoke well. Not being a Dunhill aficionado I have no idea what they do with the stem bore...

 

[ssjones]

Good detective work, as usual, MLC. That is a very interesting design, for those "sensitive tongues"....
Donk: if you email me a picture of the stem, I'd be happy to upload it and insert it into this thread. I'll pm you my email.

 

[foggymountain]

Now that you mention it, I had some twin bore Charatans in the 1950s. They were a nuisance. I never saw a Dunhill like that.

 

[ssjones]

Member Donk sent me pictures of the twin-bore pipe, posted below.









For comparison, this is a City DeLuxe twin bore "Tuscan Lip" stem. A little less elegant than the Dunhill solution.

 

[buroak]

That is different to the depiction in the 1928 catalog, but could, I suppose, be the original stem.

 

[misterlowercase]

Very interesting.
I think an inspection of the tenon and especially the shoulder, would indicate if it was the original stem, which it could very well be, the modernized version updated from the '28 design.
From seeing the indents on the bit, it also seems that the original owner knew that he needed a "bite proof" stem and perhaps did the special order for one straight from Dunhill?
::

 

[beefeater33]

Here's one on the 'bay............ Dunhill Twin Bore

Looks to be a 1959 120 shell. Like Troy states above, the stem is well dented, perhaps the original owner knew he'd bite through a standard bit? Interesting too that the holes are closer to the corners of the button- more like the 1928 ad shown..........

Or its a replacement?? The mysteries of Dunhill.......... :roll:

 

[orlandofurioso]

Hi foggymountain,
Were they not comfortable, or why did you think of the stems as being a nuisance ?

Best regards.

 

[orlandofurioso]

Just managed to snatch a 635 shell briar with a two bore stem from Feebay .

Needs a little ltc.