GBD Midnight: Any Info?

[gmwolford]

I picked up this GBD Midnight the other day; the photos are from the seller. I think all the Midnight series I've seen previously have had an acrylic stem; this one has a vulcanite stem with the brass rondel. Any idea of the age/quality of pipe would be appreciated. The seller thinks it was from the 1970s; he bought it from a long-standing B&M 6 or so years ago he said.

 

[4dotsasieni]

I have almost the identical pipe with the vulcanite stem - I bought it, i think in the late '60's or early '70's. But it's not stamped "Midnight," it just says GBD.

 

[fnord]

Greg:
This is from http://www.perardua.net/pipes/GBDlines.html
"A touch of class! A rich combination of deep charcoal briar color, complimented with a matching Hand Cut Acrylic mouthpiece. Surprisingly affordable in the middle popular price range." -catalog ( 1980 )
Do you see any numbers on the pipe? I've got a GBD Ebony 9456 that's almost a dead ringer for your Midnight.
Fnord

 

[kashmir]

Nice looking pipe!

 

[ssjones]

It's kind of hard to tell from that picture collage, but the "Made In London" stamp appears to be in a circle. If so, that is a Cadogan era pipe made after 1981. (pre-Cadogan pipes are stamped "London, England" in a straight line) I have a Cadogan-era GBD with a brass rondell and it is a wonderful smoker. I concluded these pipes must have been made shortly after the merger and used up the remaining supply of brass rondells. That one has a lovely grain!

 

[gmwolford]

@fnord It is also a 9456.
@Al The photos are blurry but I think you're right about the "oval"; I'll know for sure when it arrives. I should've known, or remembered, that about the oval verses straight.
From what I can acertain, there seems to have been at least two "runs" of the Midnight: the first with vulcanite stems and rondells, the second with acrylic stems and (mostly) painted logos. I think you're right about it being just after the merger, Al.

 

[gmwolford]

Okay, I finally had time to get to this one tonight. Here is the write up and photos if you're interested: http://wp.me/p2tGZK-2UM

 

[gwtwdbss]

Wow, great restoration Greg! :clap:

 

[ssjones]

I just read and commented on the Reborn Pipes blog, nice job! Everyone needs a shape 9456!

 

[gmwolford]

Thank you, sirs; much appreciated. And Al, I agree: everyone should have one (or two) of that shape!

 

[gmwolford]

Thank you, sirs; much appreciated. And Al, I agree: everyone should have one (or two) of that shape!

 

[papipeguy]

Great job on that pipe.

 

[jah76]

Greg that is an awesome looking pipe. Nice restoration.