Although I do sometimes nurse a cold spark of hope that one day I might come up an actual "swan neck" Dunhill L.C. in sound original condition--Ideally from the mid-1920s, obviously in "shell," or perhaps, failing this, something spectacularly distinctive like the early 50s Tanshell that MKELAW Pipes had on offer last year. Even at a bargain price, cost would unfortunately be a sore point.
So, I was thoroughly intrigued to spot a handsome example of quite an early Ashton EXL bent--which is to say one of Dunhill's veteran carver's take on the LC shape, but one in "Old Church" (Bill's name for Tanshell). Needless to say, I was more than slightly astonished, and pretty pleased to have won the auction.
Not quite an LC of my own. But more than likely as close as I may get for the next few decades.
ELX (within an oval) next to. The top of the stem has a pristine silver ringed briar dot. All markings are perfectly crisp. ASHTON (in script). Markings : On the bottom of the shank, it is stamped.
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