Is This a Meerschaum Pipe?

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Garcia

Lurker
Oct 21, 2023
44
209
23
Los Angeles
IMG_0067.jpegIMG_0068.jpegI just picked up this pipe for $20 on OfferUp. The seller said he had it in storage for over 10 years and prior to that, his aunt had it in the family for much longer. Do you guys think it’s a block or pressed meerschaum? Or even a legit meerschaum? I hope it’s Turkish instead of African.

The case it came with has branding “Real Meerschaum” but can’t find anything online.

Any help is greatly appreciated!
 
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OzPiper

Lifer
Nov 30, 2020
6,751
36,409
72
Sydney, Australia
I hope it’s Turkish instead of African.
It is Turkish.

African meerschaum (from Tanganyika) has more impurities and is seldom pristinely white like their Turkish counterpart. They are usually pre-coloured because of that.
African meer is denser, and take much more time to colour. It's a misconception that they don't colour.
I have a few and like them as much as my Turkish meers. They smoke just as well.
 

Scottmi

Lifer
Oct 15, 2022
3,921
57,213
Orcas, WA
anyone can build cake in a meer, same as anything. ream it out and may color up like any other proper meer. no? shank certainly does look pristine tho
 
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LeafErikson

Lifer
Dec 7, 2021
2,187
19,169
Oregon
With that much chamber build-up and little to no coloring on such a small pipe, I'm going to have to go with pressed or cultured meerschaum.
IMG_2233.jpeg
Idk man this pipe has somewhere between 150 and 200 smokes through it. It’s a AGovem commission and is 100% block meerschaum. Barely any coloring at all. I’ve already had to scrape the cake back in it.
 
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LeafErikson

Lifer
Dec 7, 2021
2,187
19,169
Oregon
IMG_1309.jpeg
This is African meerschaum. 100% isn’t African meerschaum. Whether or not it’s block is another question. There are all kinds of threads about how to discern whether or not a pipe in genuine block meerschaum.
 
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PipeIT

Lifer
Nov 14, 2020
5,141
30,432
Hawaii
I’m certainly no Meerschaum pro, but that is suppose to be the logo look of Andreas Bauer.

Andreas Bauer of Vienna, Austria, my understanding is high quality block Meerschaum.

There are Bauer pipes online for sale, my understanding they are not inexpensive pipes.



These are all sold out, but to give you an idea of prices.

 
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Chasing Embers

Captain of the Black Frigate
Nov 12, 2014
44,933
117,220
anyone can build cake in a meer, same as anything. ream it out and may color up like any other proper meer. no? shank certainly does look pristine tho
I got the majority of the color in my owl without cleaning it. Smoking enough to build up that much cake should have colored it somewhat but it's awfully white.