Governor real briar - Yes? No?

[auslander]

I like the look of it and can get it for 40 smackeroos, what do you think guys?
Should I?

 

[numbersix]

I am not familiar with the brand, so I could be WAY off here, but my honest opinion is that it is overpriced - no-names can often be had for half the price on ebay.
Still, IMHO, if you like the shape and the briar has thick walls, $40 isn't a crazy asking price.

 

[auslander]

Thanks six

 

[sablebrush52]

There's some nice looking grain. What kind of shape are the rim and chamber in?

 

[auslander]

Not sure Sablebrush, I would have to ask for further photographs.

 

[taerin]

Briar pipes go fromm about $25 to infinity (and beyond apparently when it has been smoked by a member of the Dunhill family) when they are brand new.

 

[cigrmaster]

That is some killer birdseye. That pipe could be a second of a good British company, it certainly looks British. I would do some research to get more info, it could be a very good deal.

 

[taerin]

Personally I would just purchase from a reputable dealer like our very own Mike at Briarblues. He's got the cheapest pipe prices you could hope for and is very honest with the descriptions, also will do things like tell you the amount of airflow a pipe has. If that is just from some Ebay dealer like shinypipes, then run for the hills, they have been caught photoshopping pipes to make them look better :P

 

[bigvan]

When I first got involved with eBay I bought a lot crap. What I learned (eventually) was that if I didn't know what it was, I probably shouldn't buy it.

 

[papipeguy]

From looking at the "L" on the stem this could be a Londoner which is a second by Barling. The shape of the stem certainly looks like Barling's style to me.

 

[sablebrush52]

It's not a Barling, though the shape is very "Barling-like". I looked it up in "Who Made That Pipe" and the maker is "unknown".

I wouldn't buy any pipe that didn't have a complete set of pictures. At this price point, the cost of sending it back overrides any potential benefit.
Pretty pipe, however.

 

[auslander]

All good advice. I may ask for more info and pictures just out of pure curiosity. I don't think I'll buy it though as I think I'm going to spend almost twice as much on a brand new Design Berlin Gotha 58. It has me under it's spell...I'm resisting but I'm not sure if I can hold out.
The site that the pipe above is from is an estate pipe seller and has some nice pipes for sale but the really good ones at good prices are sold almost as soon as they are put up on the site. I don't have anywhere near the pipe knowledge needed to be able to look at a pipe and immediately say "yep, that's worth the asking price" I need to do a lot of googling beforehand which inevitably results in the good pipe being bought by someone else before I get back to it. It's not a big deal, I am getting a good learning experience and if that means I miss out on a 'bargain' and must spend a bit more for a new 'brand' pipe from another seller then so be it.

 

[numbersix]

Good for you auslander. I never buy a pipe without knowing the condition of the chamber, the rim (and its thickness). Better to pay double for a well known pipe (like a Savinelli) than try to save some money and end up with a pipe you don't like or smoke.
I will say that is a handsome pipe, and if the seller provides you with more pics, it may be worth the money (though $40 for a no-name is top dollar IMHO).

 

[auslander]

Thanks again six. I'll post any response and/or pics I receive from the seller.