Just Snagged a 1926? Dunny on Ebay

[bayareabriar]

$115 plus shipped for a lot of pipes. In it was this gem. The French system pipe appears unsmoked as wel

will be sending it out for restoration as soon as it comes in.

thank you, cheers, applause. Ahahaha

 

[Chasing Embers]

That stem fitment looks suspicious.

 

[bayareabriar]

That stem fitment looks suspicious.

View attachment 93698

I noticed that too. I’m hoping it’s just indexed a little and an illusion. I referenced several photos of similar era ones and they all seem a little “off”. Like the flat of the shank won’t follow to the stem, it will just be a round stem.

 

[Grangerous]

Very cool ?

 

[georged]

99% chance that the base of the stem being a bit larger than the end of the shank is from wood shrinkage.

I deal with a lot of collectable, long abandoned oldies in "as found" condition, and what's seen here is not uncommon. (Smoking a pipe keeps it hydrated; decades in storage in a dry climate = dessicated / shrunken briar).

The main question here is whether the massively oxidized stem can be brought back to black, or even most of the way there. Based on the photos, I'd say no. The pipe will likely either have to be content with deep green "clouds" floating in its stem, or a legit replica made.

(Provided the chamber walls are in good shape, option 2 would be worth it if needed. Uncommon shape + exceptional nomenclature + acceptable blast = no brainer)

 

[Chasing Embers]

99% chance that the base of the stem being a bit larger than the end of the shank is from wood shrinkage.

?

 

[craig61a]

$115 plus shipped for a lot of pipes. In it was this gem. The French system pipe appears unsmoked as wel

will be sending it out for restoration as soon as it comes in.

thank you, cheers, applause. Ahahaha

It happens… I’ve come across some nice old pipes in lot sales.

I haven’t been searching in the last several years though.

 

[bayareabriar]

99% chance that the base of the stem being a bit larger than the end of the shank is from wood shrinkage.

I deal with a lot of collectable, long abandoned oldies in "as found" condition, and what's seen here is not uncommon. (Smoking a pipe keeps it hydrated; decades in storage in a dry climate = dessicated / shrunken briar).

The main question here is whether the massively oxidized stem can be brought back to black, or even most of the way there. Based on the photos, I'd say no. The pipe will likely either have to be content with deep green "clouds" floating in its stem, or a legit replica made.

(Provided the chamber walls are in good shape, option 2 would be worth it if needed. Uncommon shape + exceptional nomenclature + acceptable blast = no brainer)

I didn’t think about shrinkage. Makes sense. I’ll send her to Walker along with a few others and tell him to do his thing. I’ll take some before and after photos. Although last time I looked he was booked for a while.

 

[sandollars]

Nice find!

 

[cshubhra]

Enjoy your new pipe ?

 

[dochowl]

I've used "shrinkage" as an excuse for years... just not for pipe stems.

 

[kcghost]

Nice Dunhill. I hope you get many good years out of it.

 

[bayareabriar]

I've used "shrinkage" as an excuse for years... just not for pipe stems.

Reminds me of the Seinfeld episode with George.

 

[pappymac]

I didn’t think about shrinkage. Makes sense. I’ll send her to Walker along with a few others and tell him to do his thing. I’ll take some before and after photos. Although last time I looked he was booked for a while.

Walker is good but Georged is better. He may be more expensive, but his work is worth the money. He did the stem for my 1926 Dunhill and I couldn't be happier.

 

[jguss]

Walker is good but Georged is better. He may be more expensive, but his work is worth the money. He did the stem for my 1926 Dunhill and I couldn't be happier.

Agreed. For a pipe of great sentimental, historical, or economic value you want the pro from Dover. George is it.

 

[bayareabriar]

Agreed. For a pipe of great sentimental, historical, or economic value you want the pro from Dover. George is it.

I’ve never dealt with George, i have dealt with several others. Mike always impressed where others burned my stems or left patches of oxidation.
If I think mike is impressive, I wonder how good George is?

 

[pappymac]

Where some pipe repair shops are very good they are like house renovators.
George would be a fine art restorer.

 

[pepesdad1]

George Dibos is the best restorer...no one is better than him. period.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

I'd send that to George promptly. It will be better than new when he's done with it.

 

[bayareabriar]

So the stem is definitely original. Stamping are amazing.