Imported Briar

[staffwalker]

I read somewhere that briar was so difficult to get during WWII that native US plants such as Mountain Laurel were used in pipe making. After the war when briar became available once more that US Makers began to stamp Imported Briar to show they were using real briar rather than a native substitute. I have a little Wally Frank which is stamped Sweet Root rather than Imported Briar. Is it possible I have stumbled on a pipe made of something other than briar? bob gilbert

 

[pstlpkr]

Good question... I'd be interested to learn the answer as well.

Welcome Bob.

 

[unclearthur]

Not that up on Wally Frank pipes. Looks like I need to do some research.

 

[julesholling]

Maybe this is one for the ask G L Pease section?
Also i thought that Imported Briar was used as a stamp on pipes which were seconds from some companies but maybe that doesn't apply to US made pipes on UK made pipes??

 

[capnbellamy]

I've never seen a UK pipe with a stamp relating to it's material. Either they're stamped with a maker's name (Peterson's, Mr Brog etc), or the country in which it was made (I have several just marked "Made in Italy" - no name).

 

[dd951]

I have at least one Wally Frank Sweet Root, mine look like briar,I think it is just A name, but I am not sure. If you find out please post it

 

[dd951]

staffwalker you may enjoy reading this http://pipepages.com/id12.htm

 

[papipeguy]

From what I could find "sweetwwod" is a general term for plants of the Ocotea family which include evergreens and other shrubs.

Lomg story short you may indeed have a pipe made from the root of an indiginous shrub.
http://www.ask.com/wiki/Ocotea

 

[cortezattic]

You may want to check out Tim Fuller's article, Pipes In Other Woods.

You might even visit his website, listed in the article, in order to email a question.

He seems to have a lot of experience making pipes from exotic woods.

 

[nemrod]

After a quick Googling it looks quite similar to briar, and several descriptions of Sweet Root pipes actually states it IS briar.
http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/estate-pipe-wally-frank-sweet-root-pipe-of-the

http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/clean-wally-frank-sweetroot-pipe-of-the-month