Hoy Grail #2 - Comoys 498 Extraordinaire

[ssjones]

Two Comoys are on my list of five "Holy Grail" pipes, a 499 and a 498 in Extraordinaire graade. Earlier this week a non-pipe seller on Ebay listed this Comoys 498 Extraordinaire. It was listed as a 283/Blue Riband which from the pictures I could see it was not. I made an offer to the seller within an hour or so of the listing and was surprised that it was accepted. This model is highly sought after by Comoys collectors,so I was thrilled to acquire it at a modest investment and before it went to an auction finish. I have a 499 Extrordinaire acquired earlier this year. That one is mint and this 498 isn't quite as sharp, but I'm still thrilled to have acquired it.
I detailed the clean up in Steve's Reborn Pipes blog:

http://rebornpipes.wordpress.com/2013/06/29/comoys-498-extraordinaire-restoration/
Here are some shots of what I started with and the finished pipe. I'm waiting on a tube of black superglue to fill the dent in the bottom of the bowl and will post updated pictures when that task is complete.

 

[tbradsim1]

Outstanding Al.

 

[kashmir]

Congrats Al. We should start a Comoy's chubby club centered on the 498 and 499. Aside from you and me, I know that docwatson and captainsoussie have these shapes. The original chubby pipes, now so well popularized by Radice, Ascorti and Becker. The shapes somehow remind me of the original Betty Boop cartoons, although I don't know why.

 

[papipeguy]

Cleaned up nice, Al. I hope to see them in person one of these days.

 

[ssjones]

They are indeed a bit oversized and cartoonish in proportions, that is definitely part of the appeal to me. But, they are not XL or jumbo sized, which I do not enjoy (I just sold a beautiful G-sized Castello Bulldog, I just didn't smoke it due to the size). These Extraordinaires are just right. Now to locate a moderately priced Shape 283....

 

[pruss]

Wonderful resto work as usual Al. Nicely done.
I love those shapes!
-- Pat

 

[bobpnm]

Those are both gorgeous! Bet they are extraordinary smokers!

 

[peckinpahhombre]

Wow, that is incredible. Beautiful restoration job as well.

 

[ghost]

Wow! Great job! Congrats.

 

[captainsousie]

Those are a couple of real beauties Al.

 

[gwtwdbss]

Nice pick up Al. Looks great!

 

[numbersix]

Big congrats to you Al - acquiring one's Holy Grail of pipes is a great accomplishment. Great job on the restore too.

 

[durham270]

What beauties! Congratulations.

 

[hodirty]

I like those shapes. I'm so glad you got some of your holy grail pipes, Al. Good job on the resto, too. Savor the victory friend.

 

[ssjones]

My tube of black Superglue came in from Stew-Mac and I completed the repair today. I'm pleased with the outcome and how well the black glue blended into the stem.
Repair:




Finished Repair:

 

[kashmir]

Very nice stem repair, Al. How does the black superglue sand down?

 

[ssjones]

It is worked like regular superglue.(ie it's pretty darn hard!)