Early Dr. Grabow De Luxe resto

[gambit88]

I got Dr. Grabow Propeller logo pipe in an antique store lot.From what I can tell its pre 1940s but no earlier then 1933. It has a patent number stamped on the shank that was issued in 1933. The patent looks to be on the stinger and stem mount. The idea was to make the pipe stronger at the shank while providing a cooler, dryer smoke. The shape of the stinger was also designed to be used as a bowl scraper.(who knew!) Anyway here are the before and after pictures.

 

[mso489]

gambit', nice looking pipe, and clever dual-purpose stinger. Is the stem vulcanite or something else?

 

[gambit88]

Thanks! The stem is indeed vulcanite. I've seen that scoop shape on stingers before. I never realized a scraper was their intention.

 

[kyrob]

Very nice! Congrats!

 

[danielplainview]

Nice work. These old Linkman's Grabow's are great burners. I always liked the shank inserts from this era.

 

[xrundog]

Prop. logo, yellow shank circle...um, looks like a Yello-Bole to me. One of the nice ones.
Any stamps?

 

[gambit88]

Xrundog it is in fact a Grabow. The shank insert looks to be steel or aluminium. One side of the shank is stamped linkmans in block letter over Dr.Grabow in script. The other side of the shank is stamped De luxe in script over Bryure in block letters. It has a bowl stamp of 9967. The bottom of the shank is stamped with the patent number 1896800.

 

[xrundog]

Thanks for the info. That certainly settles it. I knew Linkman used a prop logo, After doing some checking and looking at it again I can see that it is more blocky than the early YB version. The circle on the shank is what really threw me. Early YBs have a yellow circle on the shank. I hadn't seen a Grabow like that before. I'm not very knowledgeable on the brand so I appreciate your explaining it.

I've worked on a few Linkman's Grabows and they are really nice quality pipes. You did a great job spiffing it up!

 

[gambit88]

Thanks! I've got two other prop logo Garbows on my bench and neither have that ring. It must not be common. I wonder what it means...

 

[danielplainview]

I think these are pre-war. Early Linkman Grabows had aluminum dots, circles, or shank stamped spades.
What say you ejames?

 

[xrundog]

Ah, yeah you are right Dave. Now that you mention it, I remember it's an aluminum circle. I haven't handled one of those in maybe 10 years.

 

[ejames]

I think these are pre-war. Early Linkman Grabows had aluminum dots, circles, or shank stamped spades.

Yep, pre-war I'd say. The Linkmans stamp was not used after 1943-44.

Thanks! The stem is indeed vulcanite. I've seen that scoop shape on stingers before. I never realized a scraper was their intention.

Grabow freaks will tell you that Grabows DO NOT have stingers! They have CLEANERS ! Over the years those cleaners went through several different configurations. In the 1950's after HLT bought out Linkman and changed all of the screw type connectors to the Ajustomatic (which was originally produced by Van Roy Pipe co. - another company bought by HLT) which had a removable cleaner.

The very early Linkmans Grabow are sometimes stamped MLC (Mary Linkman Co.) and may not have the patent number. These do not have an insert in the shank. The threads in the shank are cut directly into the wood.These were made before the patent was actually issued. For more info on "cleaners take a look at RJ McKays site --

http://www.drgrabow-pipe-info.com/cleaners09aa.html Nice looking Deluxe and a nice job shining it up !

 

[agnosticpipe]

I've always liked the Linkman's Dr. Grabow pipes, and that is a nice example. Good job on the resto!