Hello! New pipe smoker here. I picked this pipe up at a thrift store and while smoking it, I idly did a search on the manufacturer stampings. Turns out it's a Barling, and after a couple of hours of digging through articles, forums, and images, I still can't tell how old it is.
I'd like to know how bad I should about smoking it. If it's a family era pipe I'd feel positively guilty and probably put it on a shelf while I cut my teeth on a less storied pipe. If it's a corporate era then... eh, I'll probably use it as my daily. It really is a joy to smoke.
It has three markings on the shank:
1) "Barling's" in script with "GUINEA GRAIN REGD" below that
2) "J.J. Fox & Co" where the last letter in Co is underlined with "LONDON" below that
3) At the bowl end of the shank "EXEXEL"
With luck, the Barling Boss himself, Mr. Silver, will see this and weigh in.
Pics below:
I'd like to know how bad I should about smoking it. If it's a family era pipe I'd feel positively guilty and probably put it on a shelf while I cut my teeth on a less storied pipe. If it's a corporate era then... eh, I'll probably use it as my daily. It really is a joy to smoke.
It has three markings on the shank:
1) "Barling's" in script with "GUINEA GRAIN REGD" below that
2) "J.J. Fox & Co" where the last letter in Co is underlined with "LONDON" below that
3) At the bowl end of the shank "EXEXEL"
With luck, the Barling Boss himself, Mr. Silver, will see this and weigh in.
Pics below: