How To Tell If A Pipe is Clay Or Meer

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bluegrassbrian

Your Mom's Favorite Pipe Smoker
Aug 27, 2016
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Louisville
I’d say Peterson wouldn’t/hasn’t made a clay pipe with a metal band and vulcanite stem.
It’s VERY rare to see a clay pipe dressed up like that, in that shape.

Maybe there’s an example or two out there, but in general, the vast majority of clay pipes are straight and in the Belge/Cutty shape family.
 

Jan 28, 2018
15,665
194,382
68
Sarasota, FL
That's a Meer. Meers are carved from a block, Clays are molded and fired. I suppose it could be possible to have some kind of figure Clay, but every one I've seen is smooth. The walls are thinner. And if you really want to tell, smoke the pipes. If the bowl gets too hot to hold, it's a Clay. Unless, of course, you're putting like a madman. The pipes below are all Clays.

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Sobrbiker

Lifer
Jan 7, 2023
6,547
89,402
Casa Grande, AZ
I’d say Peterson wouldn’t/hasn’t made a clay pipe with a metal band and vulcanite stem.
It’s VERY rare to see a clay pipe dressed up like that, in that shape.

Maybe there’s an example or two out there, but in general, the vast majority of clay pipes are straight and in the Belge/Cutty shape family.
From RebornPipes, it seems they did clay in patent era and later:
Reborn Pipes: Pete Clays
1755970905440.jpeg
 
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Jun 9, 2015
4,198
26,477
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Mission, Ks
thehawsepipe.wordpress.com
I’d say Peterson wouldn’t/hasn’t made a clay pipe with a metal band and vulcanite stem.
It’s VERY rare to see a clay pipe dressed up like that, in that shape.

Maybe there’s an example or two out there, but in general, the vast majority of clay pipes are straight and in the Belge/Cutty shape family.
Cough, cough… Well… actually Peterson made just that from about 1896 to 1940. 😉 But the above pipe is not one of them.
IMG_1919.jpeg
 

Sobrbiker

Lifer
Jan 7, 2023
6,547
89,402
Casa Grande, AZ
I should’ve read more before posting. In the link I added to the above post, M Irwin stated they did them off and on into the seventies.

Not meaning to derail @Dshift’s thread, but it’s good info for anyone that pops in on it.
 

Dshift

Lifer
Mar 28, 2025
1,156
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Germany
ebay.us
I should’ve read more before posting. In the link I added to the above post, M Irwin stated they did them off and on into the seventies.

Not meaning to derail @Dshift’s thread, but it’s good info for anyone that pops in on it.
Please don't worry about derailing my threads, I already found my answer and now I am just learning interesting information.
 

64alex

Part of the Furniture Now
May 10, 2016
649
493
It is a clay pipe. Peterson made on the past clay pipe and never made meer as export of raw meer was banned by Turkey government to protect local carvers which is why the only meer available are from Turkey carvers. Interesting link below about Peterson clay pipes.

 
Jun 9, 2015
4,198
26,477
43
Mission, Ks
thehawsepipe.wordpress.com
It is a clay pipe. Peterson made on the past clay pipe and never made meer as export of raw meer was banned by Turkey government to protect local carvers which is why the only meer available are from Turkey carvers. Interesting link below about Peterson clay pipes.

Peterson made LOADS of meerschaums. Mostly African block… And that is definitely not a clay.
IMG_1930.jpegIMG_1931.jpegIMG_1932.jpeg
 
Jul 19, 2024
1,327
5,349
Indiana by way of Paris, France
It is a clay pipe. Peterson made on the past clay pipe and never made meer as export of raw meer was banned by Turkey government to protect local carvers which is why the only meer available are from Turkey carvers. Interesting link below about Peterson clay pipes.

2h0iqb.jpg
 

Dshift

Lifer
Mar 28, 2025
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Germany
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It is a clay pipe. Peterson made on the past clay pipe and never made meer as export of raw meer was banned by Turkey government to protect local carvers which is why the only meer available are from Turkey carvers. Interesting link below about Peterson clay pipes.

My 4 other Peterson meers disagree and don't identify as clay pipes.
 

64alex

Part of the Furniture Now
May 10, 2016
649
493
Well, as said if smoking gets very hot is a clay, if it stays cool is a meer but keep in mind that double walled clays are not as hot as the single walled ones, but still hotter than meer. Either way it would be a great smoker as clay and meer are my preferred. I would definitely smoke it.
I am still inclined toward a clay as that mottled appearance is the same I have on a Lepeltier clay and on the meers it is more of a gradient coloration variation. But of course I would not put my life on it.
 

Dshift

Lifer
Mar 28, 2025
1,156
5,409
Germany
ebay.us
Well, as said if smoking gets very hot is a clay, if it stays cool is a meer but keep in mind that double walled clays are not as hot as the single walled ones, but still hotter than meer. Either way it would be a great smoker as clay and meer are my preferred. I would definitely smoke it.
I am still inclined toward a clay as that mottled appearance is the same I have on a Lepeltier clay and on the meers it is more of a gradient coloration variation. But of course I would not put my life on it.
Well there is only one thong to do - I will clean it up and smoke it tomorrow. I will report afterwards.
 
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