Is This a Legit Dunhill?

[sorringowl]

Hey folks,
This morning, I picked up, what I think is a decent Dunhill bulldog that needs some work. It's a 47 shape, a bulldog, that looks like a real Dunhill 47 shape bulldog. But now, looking at the markings, I'm wondering if what I picked up is, in fact, a real Dunhill.
There is no finish stamp under the "Dunhill" stamp (e.g., Root, Bruyere, etc.) and there is no date number after the "D" in the "Made In England" stamp. Did just buy a fake?
The seller seems legit (good feedback) and just recently sold about 3 other vintage Dunhills, the stampings of which, seem more obviously legit (finish stampings as well as date stamp numbers are all there) so, if he did sell me a fake, even he might not know it.
Here are some pics of the one I bought:

Does anyone have, or, has anyone seen Dunhill stampings like this? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
Edit: Corrected capitalization in title per Rule #9, L.

 

[numbersix]

If the seller was shinypipes - I wouldn't put forgery past them. They've been caught doing unscrupulous things in the past. Anyway, I think you're right to question it, it does look a little suspicious, even the "DUNHILL" is crooked. Maybe others here can shed some light on it.

 

[sorringowl]

Hey Numbersix, no, this was not from shiny pipes. This was from a private seller who, again, seems like a decent person, based on their feedback, and the fact that they sold three other vintage Dunhills recently that, from what i can tell, all look legit.

 

[roadqueen]

Based on what I've learned - nope.
Take a look at the page in the link below. TONS of helpful and detailed information.
http://pipephil.eu/logos/en/dunhill/patent1.html#dstreet24
Good luck! ::

 

[teufelhund]

From what I've read sometimes partially finished or abandoned for quality reason pipes would disappear from the factory and would be added later by the employee or not at all. Making it not official, but if that reason was some blemish that could be solved with blasting or rustication it would still make for an awesome pipe.
This guy says this fake is probably worth more than an actual one due to the quality and rarity of the fake... Check it out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-M0-DlI6D3o

 

[papipeguy]

I'm not an expert although I do have 2 Dunhills. It looks like a very nice pipe. Does the gap between the stem and strummel concern you? This site may help you. Good luck.
http://www.rdfield.com/Articles/A%20Dunhill%20Pipe%20Dating.htm

 

[sorringowl]

I'm not an expert although I do have 2 Dunhills. It looks like a very nice pipe. Does the gap between the stem and strummel concern you? This site may help you. Good luck.

I thought it looked like a very nice pipe too. Like a Dunhill. And, it very well may be, but, really, it's just the lack of certain stamping that I'm most concerned about.
On the gap between stem and stummel: not really. From what I can tell of the seller, they are not a pipe smoker/collector and it's possible they just didn't push the stem in all the way (or it's dirty in there).
I guess I won't really know until I get the pipe in my hands but, I just wanted to see if anyone thought it was an obvious fake. I'm really not sure.

 

[lordofthepiperings]

Does the stamping of the number 47 so close to the bowl standout as weird to anyone else?

 

[tbradsim1]

Sorr whether it is or not I believe it will be a good smoker, tobbaco doesn"t know a Dunhill from a Unhill. :laughat:

 

[bobpnm]

Words of wisdom from The Old Cajun!

 

[smokeystover]

As far as I know, all of the early fakes were of very large pipes, size OD and larger. Unless it's been "doctored up" to look old, that pipe looks like it's been smoked and enjoyed for years. For what it's worth, in "Rare Smoke", Richard Hacker claims to have a Dunhill with no stamping on the shank at all. Mistakes do happen.

 

[sorringowl]

Does the stamping of the number 47 so close to the bowl standout as weird to anyone else?

Hey Lord, yeah, I thought that was a little odd too, plus there's not the usual letter stamping next to that "F/T" etc. (which, come to think of it, I don't really know they signify).
Smokeystover, yeah, I guess, at this point, what I'm really trying to discover is, is this an all out fake? or is this a misstamped Dunhill? Of course, I would prefer the latter, but if anyone out there can tell for sure, either way, I'd love to hear why they think that is.
Old Cajun, yeah, you got a point, but, now, my wallet will definitely know the difference! haha

 

[smokeystover]

F/T signifies a fishtail bit. I don't think anyone could tell for sure from photos. The only thing that can be said with any certainty is that the stamping is incomplete. It's either buffed out, misstamped, or a counterfeit. Of those three, the last is by far the most unlikely. The counterfeits are extremely rare and large. I agree with the Old Cajun (Geaux Tigers!). Whether a fake or not, it looks like the previous owner loved it, and smoked the snot out of it.

 

[sorringowl]

Ah, that makes sense, Smokey. And I think you're right, it's really hard to tell from the photos.
I'm thinking, at this point, it's probably worth it just to get the thing in my hands and check it myself and if I can't figure it out, take it around to some pipe buddies, or, take some better pix and post them here and ask you guys.
Great advice, so far, guys! And I really appreciate all the responses.
If anyone would like to add anything to these, please, by all means do so.
Thanks again!

 

[papipeguy]

Seems like your mind is made up to get it. So do it and enjoy it. Do keep us posted.

 

[cigrmaster]

The stampings could have easily been buffed off so that is not a definite indication of a fake. The only real way to tell if you have a Dunhill, is to stick the stem up your ass and if you start speaking in a British accent, you have the real deal. :rofl:

 

[numbersix]

Hey Numbersix, no, this was not from shiny pipes. This was from a private seller who, again, seems like a decent person, based on their feedback, and the fact that they sold three other vintage Dunhills recently that, from what i can tell, all look legit.

Glad to hear it. If he sells Dunhills regularly, then he should know one way or the other. I would recommend that if after receiving it you still have doubts, get your money back before you smoke it. IMHO, Dunhills are lightyears ahead of a no-name briar, and you certainly don't want to pay hundreds for a pipe that is (or might be) a fake.

The only real way to tell if you have a Dunhill, is to stick the stem up your ass and if you start speaking in a British accent, you have the real deal.

Is that how you know?!

 

[tbradsim1]

I say there old chap this is really uncomfortable!

 

[cigrmaster]

six, you wouldn't believe the laughs I get when I start speaking with a British accent with a pipe hanging out of my ass. Actually it was our resident Dunhill expert foggy who told me this method.

 

[roadqueen]

OH MY LORD! Harris and Brad, you guys have me in STICHES! :rofl: