To expand and clarify what I just said; as I understand it, they used to get their block meerschaum from Africa and used an oil curing process.
Also, you can date your pipe by the hallmark on the silver mount.
Thanks for the response, this is my 1st meerschaum pipe. I really only like military mounts. I to much of a brute for the standard style. I thought this was a military when I bought it and it is not. So I think it will find it's way back on ebay and I will just buy more system pipes.