Is this Meerschaum or not?

[withnail]

Looking at eBay, I came across the following pipe http://bit.ly/uoR9yx
Although it is described as a Meerschaum, it looks like it has a glaze on it, especially in the close up pictures further down the page. Do any of you have any ideas as to what it is made of?
Cheers

 

[Strike Anywhere]

It looks like meer to me, but I'm not an expert. Since it is an estate pipe, you never know what one of the previous owners did to it. Lacquer, shellac, or maybe it's just colorless beeswax polished to a brilliant shine!

 

[uberam3rica]

I'd say it's a meer too. There doesn't look to be a molding seam like clays have

 

[Strike Anywhere]

After further research, it may actually be a clay pipe...
http://www.dawnmist.demon.co.uk/cadger.htm

 

[nemrod]

Looks like meerschaum but as you say it's a bit shiny. Probably been polished with something. Ask the seller, that's what the function is for

 

[Strike Anywhere]

I forgot to mention that if you read through that article, Charles Crop (C Crop) comes up a lot. You don't necessarily see the same pipe in the auction, but you get the idea.

 

[withnail]

Thank you all for the very swift response!

 

[withnail]

Thank you baskerville59 for clearing that up.

 

[olderthandirt]

How 'bout that.

I really was thinkin' it was a clay, especially after reading the blurb that tabriar cited. But with baskervilles observation, whoulda thunkit!

withnail, you'll simply need to bid and win it and get home to remove any conjecture! (-:

 

[seakayak]

Yup. It's a meer. Interesting that it appears to have a few years on it while the bowl would indicate it has never touched tobacco.

 

[markw4mms]

Yep, looks like a Meer to me.

 

[lonestar]

I'm going to disagree with just about everyone and say its clay. The stamp on the side looks molded not carved, the finish is way too shiny, the shank and bowl are super thin for a meer, the style is really similar to lots of 1800's clay pipes (L.FIOLET, etc) and the coloring is consistent with a smoked clay thats been cleaned in a fire.

Still theres a chance it is meerschaum, but I'd bet $5 its a clay (if I had $5).

 

[loneredtree]

+1 lonestar. The C Crop on the pipe is/was a clay pipe maker. As per tabriar's post.

 

[withnail]

This sale ended with the pipe going for £91 (about $145) so I guess I will never know exactly what it was like on close inspection as that is a long way out of my budget! Thank you to all who posted in this thread :clap:

 

[spartan]

It said Meer in the description so I'll take that route.
On the flip side check out this pipe that was reccomended when I clicked the link to your pipe :rofl:
This is an X rated pipe so for those at work or w/e it's a nude meer. Graphic.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/0694-Old-beautifully-carved-Meerschaum-smoking-pipe-/220891730611?_trksid=p4340.m185&_trkparms=algo%3DDLSL%252BSIC.NPJS%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%252BUA%26otn%3D10%26pmod%3D110767565396%252B110767565396%26po%3D%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D4196820282797143197

 

[withnail]

LOL - I guess that is what you call pipe porn!