I found this decent looking James Upshall P-Grade XL bent billiard last week. Near teh end of the auction I was surprised when bidding stalled well below $100 and I won it. Thinking I already had a Upshall P-grade billiard, I figured that I could probably make a few bucks by polishing it up and reselling.
The pipe was delivered today and I was surprised to find it in such good condition. The stem is unmarked and no brown oxidation was present, just faded in color. The bowl has no blemishes or marks and the stamping is immaculate. I like my stems shiny and this one didn't take much work. I used the final three grades of micromesh with some oxy-clean solution (4000, 6000, 8000 and 12000 grit). I than buffed it on a cloth wheel with some Blue Magic plastic polish. It gleams now and the log is perfect. I am sold on the non-padded micromesh sheets (6" x 2" size).
The bowl didn't need much work either. I gave it a light reaming and than buffed it first with white rouge than with carnuba. A final hand polish with Paragon was used on the bowl and stem. The bowl is now soaking, filled with some Everclear and sea salt.
The pipe is unique enough in stain and shape that I'm keeping it. The thing that I most pleased with is the size. Even though it is stamped XL, it is smaller in all dimensions than my first P. It is far lighter at 50 grams compared to 75 grams. That is my perfect weight and it fits easily in my travel bag, where the other P just does not. I just recently learned that early Upshalls were only stamped for grade, not size, so that explains the difference between the two.
The shank took some cleaning with Everclear and about a dozen cleaners, using both ends and twisted together in the middle. That diligence paid off and when I smoked it this evening, it smoked clean with no ghosts. The draw is Upshall perfect. This will make a fine companion to my other P and I'll have to clear some rack room for the new baby.
Here's some before pix:
And finished:
And a shot with both P grades. The XL is significantly smaller.
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The pipe was delivered today and I was surprised to find it in such good condition. The stem is unmarked and no brown oxidation was present, just faded in color. The bowl has no blemishes or marks and the stamping is immaculate. I like my stems shiny and this one didn't take much work. I used the final three grades of micromesh with some oxy-clean solution (4000, 6000, 8000 and 12000 grit). I than buffed it on a cloth wheel with some Blue Magic plastic polish. It gleams now and the log is perfect. I am sold on the non-padded micromesh sheets (6" x 2" size).
The bowl didn't need much work either. I gave it a light reaming and than buffed it first with white rouge than with carnuba. A final hand polish with Paragon was used on the bowl and stem. The bowl is now soaking, filled with some Everclear and sea salt.
The pipe is unique enough in stain and shape that I'm keeping it. The thing that I most pleased with is the size. Even though it is stamped XL, it is smaller in all dimensions than my first P. It is far lighter at 50 grams compared to 75 grams. That is my perfect weight and it fits easily in my travel bag, where the other P just does not. I just recently learned that early Upshalls were only stamped for grade, not size, so that explains the difference between the two.
The shank took some cleaning with Everclear and about a dozen cleaners, using both ends and twisted together in the middle. That diligence paid off and when I smoked it this evening, it smoked clean with no ghosts. The draw is Upshall perfect. This will make a fine companion to my other P and I'll have to clear some rack room for the new baby.
Here's some before pix:
And finished:
And a shot with both P grades. The XL is significantly smaller.
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