Hairline Crack Mid-Shank

[PipePint&Cross]

I just got this (I believe) Family Era Barling, and discovered a tiny crack mid-shank. I can find many posts on cracks at the mortise, but no luck on this location. So, what can I do? Is there a way to address the crack? Should I attempt any kind of repair? Should I just smoke it and not worry? Here are some pictures, it is hard to see, but the crack starts around the L in England and extends to the T in TVF.

 

[verporchting]

Looks very minor and superficial to me but I’m not an expert. Does it seep any moisture? If not I wouldn’t worry about it myself.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Where's the crack? Looks more like a surface scratch. If it is a lengthwise crack though, those can't be repaired.

 

[LotusEater]

Where's the crack? Looks more like a surface scratch. If it is a lengthwise crack though, those can't be repaired.

I thought the same thing

 

[Sobrbiker]

If it’s a keeper, I wouldn’t worry about it unless it presented any problems. If it is indeed a crack, being away from mortise makes it unlikely to change much of it doesn’t go through extreme environmental changes.

 

[sablebrush52]

It’s very hard to tell from the photo if it’s a crack or a scratch.
My impression is that it doesn’t represent a problem. Just smoke the pipe carefully and don’t let moisture build up in the shank, and you should be fine.
And yes, it is a Family Era Barling.

 

[PipePint&Cross]

Thanks everyone! The picture isn't the best, but it was the best I could get out of my cheap phone camera. Here's a zoomed in photo of the concerned area. I really appreciate the responses as they help me not worry about it much.

 

[Sigmund]

At a minimum Id keep that photo and keep an eye on it. Maybe one of our pipe makers will eye it.

 

[orlandofurioso]

Lovely pipe, congrats. Most likely a sctatch, or a very superfacial hairline crack. No worries.
Lock yourself in a dark room with a decent quality flashlight and see if light comes shining
through I did with a Comoy's and the crack appeared to be all though the shank
Keep the photo.

 

[newbroom]

I too have a Barling TVF rusticated pipe that has a crack in the shank. I saw it open up during a smoke. I had smoked the pipe using a stem I'd had in another pipe and didn't find any problem. Then, because I felt it was worth it, I sent the stummel out for a new factory replica stem. My guy sent the pipe back in an envelope with the stem inserted. I feel that this was how I got my cracked shank. I was hoping for answers.

 

[georged]

If the split continues and encounters a Uranium 235 atom, and the stummel itself is made of Plutonium, you'll be in a world of shit.

A 100 million degree Celsius world of shit, in fact.

But it will only last a few milliseconds.

 

[PipePint&Cross]

If the split continues and encounters a Uranium 235 atom, and the stummel itself is made of Plutonium, you'll be in a world of shit.

A 100 million degree Celsius world of shit, in fact.

But it will only last a few milliseconds.

Well damn.

 

[kcghost]

Not worry is a good motto in this case.

 

[didimauw]

Well damn.

Yeah you're screwed

 

[Bbailey324]

Fission complications aside, it kind of looks like a scratch. Maybe wrap some baling wire around it in case it is a crack.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Fission complications aside, it kind of looks like a scratch. Maybe wrap some baling wire around it in case it is a crack.

With lengthwise cracks, there's no stopping them.

 

[Joe H]

I have a 20 year old Hardcastle that shows a crack inside the bowl just above the airway hole, but only after a smoke. Once cool, it's invisible. With even a little cake, it's impossible to see. I cleaned the chamber recently and after a smoke, sure enough, there was the crack again, maybe even a bit longer that before. I suspect at my current smoking rate, the crack will still be mostly impossible to see when I die of old age - or maybe my kids will smoke it until they die of old age and never know it's there.

My guess is that in 20 years that mark will still be there about like it is now, and will give the pipe an extra element of interest to see if it extends over the years. Smoke it and enjoy; it's a nice pipe!

 

[renfield]

Given the way it runs from one stress concentration to another in the stamping it could be a crack. Even if it is a crack treat it with some care and you should be able to get plenty of life out of it.

I have a rusticated pipe that has a crack in the bowl but over the years it hasn’t grown and the pipe gets smoked frequently.

 

[OzPiper]

Hi @PipePint&Cross
Lovely Barling Fossil,
I hope it is a superficial scratch and not a crack

This is a cracked shank on my 1921 Loewe army mount bent billiard



It was in an utterly filthy state when it arrived, with possibly 100 years of inspissated in the shank and mortise.
I spent days using alcohol swabs and alcohol soaked cleaners to clean the shank and mortise.

Job done, I loaded and fired it up.
And “CRACK”
- sad, sinking feeling

Didn’t allow enough dry time, I suspect
Luckily it is an army mount with a silver “olive” ferrule.
I’ve smoked it several times since with no further mishaps

I hope your Barling smokes well for you

 

[jhowell]

Hi @PipePint&Cross
Lovely Barling Fossil,
I hope it is a superficial scratch and not a crack

This is a cracked shank on my 1921 Loewe army mount bent billiard
View attachment 319939
View attachment 319940

It was in an utterly filthy state when it arrived, with possibly 100 years of inspissated in the shank and mortise.
I spent days using alcohol swabs and alcohol soaked cleaners to clean the shank and mortise.

Job done, I loaded and fired it up.
And “CRACK”
- sad, sinking feeling

Didn’t allow enough dry time, I suspect
Luckily it is an army mount with a silver “olive” ferrule.
I’ve smoked it several times since with no further mishaps

I hope your Barling smokes well for you

I'd just put a little CA in the crack and smoke the pipe...