Help and advice for an Upshall pipe

[hoppes]

Just found this on the Internet. Got it for a very good price. Unfortunately, the tenon is broken out and there is a crack in the shaft. Some questions for the experts here. There seems to be some confusion on the Upshall discussion pages what the "A" stamping represents? Can anyone date this pipe as to early, medium or recent and who might have made It? I know this is probably not a collectors item, but it is such a large piece of briar that I think it would be spectacular if repaired and refurbished. Any history, comments or advice would be appreciated. Thanks, Hoppes

 

[hoppes]

Forgot to mention the measurements. The bowl measures 2 1/2 inches top to bottom. The top is 2 inches in diameter. The length from the front of the bowl to the end of the stem is 4 1/2 inches.A real man's pipe !! Hoppes

 

[loneredtree]

I am not an expert. Some one will show up.

It is a well loved Dublin shape pipe judging from the chamber cake etc. Probably a good smoker. Is it goasted?

FH stands freehand but not sure why this one is.

The A designation is the lowest rating for Upshalls.

A repairman could band the shank crack and make a new stem.
I would look at Pipepedia for more information.
Good luck.

 

[georged]

You definitely want to replace the tenon and not the entire stem because 1) the "JU" stamp is not available; and 2) and because the parallel-sided octagonal shank/stem combo is one of the most difficult shapes to do well.
Also, an inset reinforcement ring should be used to deal with the crack, not a band. Besides being borderline impossible to fit "light tight" when eight sided, a band in this case would look bad and cover a significant amount of nomenclature.
Both procedures are precision operations that are delicate, unforgiving, and have no rewind button. I do not recommend trying to do them yourself. In fact, be extra-sure whoever you find to do them is both experienced and confident. This is tricky territory.

 

[tarheel1]

A is not the lowest grade. In the upshall you have the blasted and bark lines then the dress line followed by the s grade then the a grade.

 

[ssjones]

Correct, the A is between the S and P Grades.

2) and because the parallel-sided octagonal shank/stem combo is one of the most difficult shapes to do well.

Ah, I wondered about that aspect of a replacement.

 

[loneredtree]

Agree with George.

I believe the A is lowest in a smooth surface.

 

[ssjones]

The S is the lowest smooth (straight, flame or cross grain).

http://www.upshallusa.com/price_list.htm

The A is just under the P in that series.

 

[tarheel1]

Dress pipe is a smooth pipe as well under the s grade.S is the lowest grade root pipe.

 

[hoppes]

George
Thank you for the comments and advice. Are you taking on new work? If not, could you recommend a repairman to do such a repair? Thanks, Hoppes

 

[weezell]

^^^^^smart move my brother...

 

[georged]

Are you taking on new work?

Not at the present time. I stopped a couple months ago because the Pile-O-Boxes was getting too large, and long wait times are stressful for everyone. Clearing the backlog before opening the gate again was the only remedy I could think of.

If not, could you recommend a repairman to do such a repair?

Believe it or not, I can't. None who are active, anyway. There are a couple guys who are getting good at the "collectable grade" restoration thing, but who don't do technical repairs; and I know several repair guys who could definitely return your pipe to service, but I don't know how "invisible" the finished work might be. That's why I suggested making sure that whoever you find who says he's willing to do it be confident and comfortable with the exact situation your pipe presents. (It looks straightforward, but it isn't).
Having said that, I just realized I've been assuming that you wanted a "best possible result" repair, when maybe all you want is a functional one. (My apologies. Chasing perfection is how my brain is wired.) In that case, I'd just go with whoever gets the most votes from this board (so to speak). There's a lot of customer experience here.