GBD 9438 Virgin - New Addition

[ssjones]

I've been on the lookout for a reasonably priced 9438 in Virgin grade to compliment my four other 9438's. Earlier this week, this one popped up on Ebay. It had a little wear, but I won it without drama in an auction ending in the afternoon. I did a full write-up on the restoration on Steve Laug's "Reborn Pipes" blog:
http://rebornpipes.wordpress.com/2013/03/21/gbd-9438-virgin-restoration/
Here is a before and after shot.

 

[trailspike48]

Great restoration, my Virgin GBD's are somme of my favorites. I hope you get a lot of enjoyment smoking this beauty.

 

[tjameson]

Another great looking 9438 Al! Pretty soon you'll have a seven day set nice job on the resto too!

 

[dervis]

Beautiful job. Getting into that shape more and more

..

 

[topd]

Great looking pipe Al... Congrats!

 

[ssjones]

Thanks folks, I'm waiting for some nice, sunny, warm weather to enjoy it out on the patio.

 

[gmwolford]

I'm waiting for some nice, sunny, warm weather to enjoy it out on the patio

I hope your forecast is better than mine or you'll be waiting a while! :roll:
That is a beautiful pipe, Al. In fact, they are all rather nice. I think that is a super shape, too, and may start watching for one for me. I only have the one GBD, Tapestry 9664, but I love it.

 

[flmason]

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

 

[ssjones]

Greg: Tapestry 9438's are much more readily available and less pricey. I've restored three in the past two years. One was sold to Steve Laug, the other went to my daughters boyfriend. I kept the nicest one for my rack.
An unsmoked 9438 New Era grade pip brought $272 last night....
http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem?itemId=181102147160

 

[cigrmaster]

Al, as soon as I read the title I knew it was your pipe. Congrats on a great pipe and a great score.

 

[misterlowercase]

That's a sweet one Al and a very nice write-up on the resto too!
I very much admire your focus on collecting these distinct specimens!

:clap:

 

[peckinpahhombre]

Congrats - I love that clear stem. I wonder - can you see the smoke going through it as you puff?

 

[ssjones]

Peck: I'm not sure, I'd go cross-eyed trying to look down that short stem! (I suspect not). My bird is intrigued by Perspex stems, but I think the clear plastic, not the smoke wets his whistle.

 

[docwatson]

Al, you lucky dog!! You get to have a Virgin at your age. Some guys have all the luck.

 

[ssjones]

A Virgin no more. Darn it, this thing smokes like a dream. I thought, I'll try this one but probably resell it to squirrel away money for a nicer Virgin 9438. I loaded it with some MM965, one match and 55 minutes later this one will not be leaving the nest. Is this Virgin wood magical?

 

[tbradsim1]

Al as always you have the most intreguing GBD pipes and your restorations are great, love to look at them. The old cajun

 

[ghost]

Very nice job! Those perspex stems always give me fits, nice to see one in good shape.

 

[oldredbeard]

Beautiful work on a beautiful pipe, congrats Al.

 

[ssjones]

I was fortunate the Perspex wasn't stained inside. It's far from perfect, but the clear plastic hides the blemishes well near the button and the rest of the stem/rondell is mint. If all Virgin grade GBD's smoke like this one, I'll be on the hunt for a few more.

 

[lonestar]

9438 is a beuatiful shape, and those Virgins are great pipes.