Kirsten Pride... Show Me Your Kirstens!
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I've always likes Kirsten. I have two straight and one semi bent. I have 4 briar bowls of varying size, and two Meer bowls, on is unspoken. I'd love to get a full bent and a cob bowl.
:
Having found more information, including some 1970s catalogs, here's my updated info on Kirsten models. I haven't gone in-depth into bowls since they vary so widely, only giving a shape list.
Sizes are-- excluding 1st-gen models--
Straight:
"G" Gem (mini)
"J" Jewel (small)
"S" Sportsman (small)
"M" Mariner (medium)
"L" Lancer (large)
¼-bent:
"A" Aladdin (mini)
"H" Horizon (small)
"V" Vagabond (small)
"C" Cavalier (medium)
"T" Tyrolean (large)
"R" Regent (large)
Full-bent:
"B" Beau Geste (mini)
"W" Westerner (small)
"P" Premier (medium)
"E" Esquire (medium, cutaway pedestal valve)
"F" Firesider" (large)
"D" Designer (large, flared round pedestal valve)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sizes by generation--
1st Gen. - No O-rings - stamped "Pat. Appl. For" (1930s-40s) or "Pats. & Pats. Pending" (50s)
Straight:
"S" Standard (small)
"M" Medium
"L" Large
"A" Aristocrat (extra-large)
"C" Companion (rough finish Standard)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.5 Gen. - O-ring on valve or stem, not both - stamped "Pat. Pending" or "Pats. & Pats Pending," some say "Made in U.S.A"
Straight:
"K" Companion (small)
"M" Medium
"L" Large
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Transition models include:
Thrifty (straight w/ black reverse valve having O-ring, none on stem)
Up to this point, all except Companion are hand-polished Duralumin, a silver color, with black vulcanite stems
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2nd Gen. - O-rings - stamped "Pats. & Pats. Pending" and "Made in U.S.A."
Straight:
"G" Gem (mini)
"K" Companion (small)
"S" Sportsman (small)
"M" Mariner (medium)
"L" Lancer (large)
¼-bent:
"A" Aladdin (mini)
"V" Vagabond (small)
"C" Cavalier (medium)
"T" Tyrolean (large)
Full-bent:
"B" Beau Geste (mini)
"W" Westerner (small)
"P" Premier (medium)
"F" Firesider" (large)
"D" Designer (large, first full-bent with pedestal valve, introduced 1977)
Finishes:
-- Hand-polished Duralumin
-- X Western Satin/Heritage
-- B Black
"Western Satin" (satin coppery orange-brown) until 1974
"Heritage" (rough silvery or brassy) after 1975
Stems: black vulcanite, either standard, flat, or bite-proof (twin-bore)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd Gen. - O-rings - stamped "Made in U.S.A."
Straight:
"J" Jewel (small)
"M" Mariner (medium)
"L" Lancer (large)
¼-bent:
"H" Horizon (small)
"C" Cavalier (medium)
"R" Regent (large)
Full-bent:
"E" Esquire (medium)
"D" Designer (large)
Full-bents available with with standard valve, but usually sold with pedestal valve
Finishes:
-- Silver (satin)
-- X Brasstone (satin)
-- B Black
Stems: black vulcanite, gray pearl lucite, brown pearl lucite
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4th Gen. - O-rings - stamped "Made in U.S.A."
Straight:
"J" Jewel (small)
"M" Mariner (medium)
"L" Lancer (large)
¼-bent:
"H" Horizon (small)
"C" Cavalier (medium, may be coming soon)
"R" Regent (large)
Full-bent:
"E" Esquire (medium, may be coming soon)
"D" Designer (large)
Finishes:
-- Silver (matte)
-- X Brasstone (matte gold, almost a yellow-ocher)
-- B Black (slightly glossy on the straight/quarter-bent, matte on full-bent)
Stems: black lucite, brown pearl lucite, black lucite with white thread swirl
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cigar Holders came in "regular" and "panetela" diameters. Finishes were, by known dates:
1973-74: hand-polished Duralumin or 24-k gold-plated
1975-76: not available
1976-77: hand-polished Duralumin or "antique bronze" (polished)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cigarette holders eventually came in S (3 1/8"), M (4 1/4"), L (5")
1950s, hand-polished Duralumin, and a four-color ladies' set was offered, colors unknown. All in L size
Finishes were, by known dates:
1973-74: hand-polished Duralumin or 24-k gold-plated
1974-76: hand-polished Duralumin
1976-77: hald-polished Duralumin or "antique bronze," "autumn gold," "sunset red" (all polished)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At some point, sets of 8 corn cob holders were produced, in silver finish
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bowl shapes:
Billiard (cup shape)
Columbus (rounded, widest point above center)
Brandy (rounded, widest point below center)
Mandarin (two cones attached at widest point, some 4th Gen narrower)
Dynasty (Mandarin with inwardly-sloped rim, discontinued)
Midway (spread conical with narrower top, 1st Gen, discontinued)
Bavarian (conical with rounded top, 2nd Gen, discontinued)
Danish (tulip shape with inwardly-sloped rim, discontinued)
Bulldog, 1st Gen (kettle shape, two cut rings)
Bulldog, 1970s (rhodesian style, two cut rings, inwardly-sloped rim)
Castaño (4th Gen, bulldog with rough bottom half)
Italian (4th Gen, narrow Columbus)
Some bowls were made by Kaywoodie in the 50s or 60s, mainly miniature, slightly flared billiard shape with light finish (some have small fills)
In the late 70s or early 80s, a small number (perhaps a few hundred) true freehand bowls with plateau top were made. One claim is that these were mainly given out or sold to big names in the pipe retail industry. Mine belonged to a Tinder Box owner. Many are engraved, a service offered to regular customers as well. All freehands I've seen so far were Designers (I've seen them in brasstone, polished silver, and Heritage)
Sizes are-- excluding 1st-gen models--
Straight:
"G" Gem (mini)
"J" Jewel (small)
"S" Sportsman (small)
"M" Mariner (medium)
"L" Lancer (large)
¼-bent:
"A" Aladdin (mini)
"H" Horizon (small)
"V" Vagabond (small)
"C" Cavalier (medium)
"T" Tyrolean (large)
"R" Regent (large)
Full-bent:
"B" Beau Geste (mini)
"W" Westerner (small)
"P" Premier (medium)
"E" Esquire (medium, cutaway pedestal valve)
"F" Firesider" (large)
"D" Designer (large, flared round pedestal valve)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sizes by generation--
1st Gen. - No O-rings - stamped "Pat. Appl. For" (1930s-40s) or "Pats. & Pats. Pending" (50s)
Straight:
"S" Standard (small)
"M" Medium
"L" Large
"A" Aristocrat (extra-large)
"C" Companion (rough finish Standard)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.5 Gen. - O-ring on valve or stem, not both - stamped "Pat. Pending" or "Pats. & Pats Pending," some say "Made in U.S.A"
Straight:
"K" Companion (small)
"M" Medium
"L" Large
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Transition models include:
Thrifty (straight w/ black reverse valve having O-ring, none on stem)
Up to this point, all except Companion are hand-polished Duralumin, a silver color, with black vulcanite stems
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2nd Gen. - O-rings - stamped "Pats. & Pats. Pending" and "Made in U.S.A."
Straight:
"G" Gem (mini)
"K" Companion (small)
"S" Sportsman (small)
"M" Mariner (medium)
"L" Lancer (large)
¼-bent:
"A" Aladdin (mini)
"V" Vagabond (small)
"C" Cavalier (medium)
"T" Tyrolean (large)
Full-bent:
"B" Beau Geste (mini)
"W" Westerner (small)
"P" Premier (medium)
"F" Firesider" (large)
"D" Designer (large, first full-bent with pedestal valve, introduced 1977)
Finishes:
-- Hand-polished Duralumin
-- X Western Satin/Heritage
-- B Black
"Western Satin" (satin coppery orange-brown) until 1974
"Heritage" (rough silvery or brassy) after 1975
Stems: black vulcanite, either standard, flat, or bite-proof (twin-bore)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd Gen. - O-rings - stamped "Made in U.S.A."
Straight:
"J" Jewel (small)
"M" Mariner (medium)
"L" Lancer (large)
¼-bent:
"H" Horizon (small)
"C" Cavalier (medium)
"R" Regent (large)
Full-bent:
"E" Esquire (medium)
"D" Designer (large)
Full-bents available with with standard valve, but usually sold with pedestal valve
Finishes:
-- Silver (satin)
-- X Brasstone (satin)
-- B Black
Stems: black vulcanite, gray pearl lucite, brown pearl lucite
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4th Gen. - O-rings - stamped "Made in U.S.A."
Straight:
"J" Jewel (small)
"M" Mariner (medium)
"L" Lancer (large)
¼-bent:
"H" Horizon (small)
"C" Cavalier (medium, may be coming soon)
"R" Regent (large)
Full-bent:
"E" Esquire (medium, may be coming soon)
"D" Designer (large)
Finishes:
-- Silver (matte)
-- X Brasstone (matte gold, almost a yellow-ocher)
-- B Black (slightly glossy on the straight/quarter-bent, matte on full-bent)
Stems: black lucite, brown pearl lucite, black lucite with white thread swirl
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cigar Holders came in "regular" and "panetela" diameters. Finishes were, by known dates:
1973-74: hand-polished Duralumin or 24-k gold-plated
1975-76: not available
1976-77: hand-polished Duralumin or "antique bronze" (polished)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cigarette holders eventually came in S (3 1/8"), M (4 1/4"), L (5")
1950s, hand-polished Duralumin, and a four-color ladies' set was offered, colors unknown. All in L size
Finishes were, by known dates:
1973-74: hand-polished Duralumin or 24-k gold-plated
1974-76: hand-polished Duralumin
1976-77: hald-polished Duralumin or "antique bronze," "autumn gold," "sunset red" (all polished)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At some point, sets of 8 corn cob holders were produced, in silver finish
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bowl shapes:
Billiard (cup shape)
Columbus (rounded, widest point above center)
Brandy (rounded, widest point below center)
Mandarin (two cones attached at widest point, some 4th Gen narrower)
Dynasty (Mandarin with inwardly-sloped rim, discontinued)
Midway (spread conical with narrower top, 1st Gen, discontinued)
Bavarian (conical with rounded top, 2nd Gen, discontinued)
Danish (tulip shape with inwardly-sloped rim, discontinued)
Bulldog, 1st Gen (kettle shape, two cut rings)
Bulldog, 1970s (rhodesian style, two cut rings, inwardly-sloped rim)
Castaño (4th Gen, bulldog with rough bottom half)
Italian (4th Gen, narrow Columbus)
Some bowls were made by Kaywoodie in the 50s or 60s, mainly miniature, slightly flared billiard shape with light finish (some have small fills)
In the late 70s or early 80s, a small number (perhaps a few hundred) true freehand bowls with plateau top were made. One claim is that these were mainly given out or sold to big names in the pipe retail industry. Mine belonged to a Tinder Box owner. Many are engraved, a service offered to regular customers as well. All freehands I've seen so far were Designers (I've seen them in brasstone, polished silver, and Heritage)
Yo jo
Thanks for your diligent research. Your findings ought to be Stickied here and provide a nice upgrade to the Wikipedia page.
hp
les
Thanks for your diligent research. Your findings ought to be Stickied here and provide a nice upgrade to the Wikipedia page.
hp
les
Ah, forgot the bowl sizes, though do they vary a bit? There are narrow (say, Billiard) and wide (Dynasty) bowl shapes, short (Bulldog) and tall (Danish). I didn't go into finishes at all; I've seen several colors from dark to light, and several finishes-- matte, gloss, carved patches, sandblasted patches, sandblasted, rusticated, Staghorn, etc. There are some odd ones, too; I have a Mandarin in dark mahogany color with deep carving, a Columbus with a sort of Pacific Native/tiki-ish carving, and a Mandarin Staghorn with a deep red-violet stain and a light overspray of metallic gold! I can't recommend strongly enlough that Kirsten lovers visit the shop and ask to paw through the trays of vintage meerschaum and briar bowls; you'll likely find several that fascinate you. My wall bowl displays are no longer in use, as far as I know.
Then, there are meerschaums; the 60s ones (of which the shop still has many) were carved by Gene Kirsten, smooth, staghorn and a dimpled staghorn, mini to large sizes, Billiard, Mandarin and Columbus shapes, unwaxed. The 1970s ones were carved in Turkey, in the same shapes and smooth or staghorn, waxed. And the 90s-2000s ones, also carved in Turkey and all very large and waxed, smooth or lattice, Bulldog, Columbus, Mandarin, and Brandy (some with 'false;' teardrop lattice, some with 'true' small-hole lattice).
One more edit: the cigarette holders first came in long only, then two sizes (I don't know which, medium or short), then three.
I'm happy that my research helps! I'm still actively collecting Kirstens, and am looking for cigar holders in colors or the size (panetela) I don't have, cigarette holders of any type, a Western Satin pipe, a Midway bowl, and a 3rd-gen brasstone pipe, preferably a quart-bent.
Then, there are meerschaums; the 60s ones (of which the shop still has many) were carved by Gene Kirsten, smooth, staghorn and a dimpled staghorn, mini to large sizes, Billiard, Mandarin and Columbus shapes, unwaxed. The 1970s ones were carved in Turkey, in the same shapes and smooth or staghorn, waxed. And the 90s-2000s ones, also carved in Turkey and all very large and waxed, smooth or lattice, Bulldog, Columbus, Mandarin, and Brandy (some with 'false;' teardrop lattice, some with 'true' small-hole lattice).
One more edit: the cigarette holders first came in long only, then two sizes (I don't know which, medium or short), then three.
I'm happy that my research helps! I'm still actively collecting Kirstens, and am looking for cigar holders in colors or the size (panetela) I don't have, cigarette holders of any type, a Western Satin pipe, a Midway bowl, and a 3rd-gen brasstone pipe, preferably a quart-bent.
The Satin finish was exclusive of Gem, Lancer (Straight) Cavalier (Quarter Bent) and Premier (Full Bent) 2nd Gen. very rare indeed.
Cigarettes were three sizes Long 5", Medium 4 1/4", Small 3 1/8" originally in Duralumin or Gold Plated, later in three colors Antique Bronze, Sunset Red or Autumn Gold.
Cigars were two sizes: Panetelas and Standard both in Duralumin or Gold Plated finish, later offered in Antique Bronze. all cigars had a piercer that holds the cigar into the holder and in place.
Cigarettes were three sizes Long 5", Medium 4 1/4", Small 3 1/8" originally in Duralumin or Gold Plated, later in three colors Antique Bronze, Sunset Red or Autumn Gold.
Cigars were two sizes: Panetelas and Standard both in Duralumin or Gold Plated finish, later offered in Antique Bronze. all cigars had a piercer that holds the cigar into the holder and in place.
There was also a four-color set of long cigarette holders, one stem and four tubes. Colors aren't known. I asked Stacy about silver, pink, blue, gold. She said maybe, she hadn't seen these, but believed FK Kirsten wouldn't have done pink, maybe red. I'd love to obtain a few gold or tinted ones.
Also, the cigarette holders had a spring-loaded mechanism in the removable stem, which allowed the smoker to push it into the tube and eject the butt.
Also, the cigarette holders had a spring-loaded mechanism in the removable stem, which allowed the smoker to push it into the tube and eject the butt.
I cannot upload pics, so I am pasting links to Reborn Briar post, for your perusal and enjoyment.
https://rebornpipes.com/tag/1973-1974-kirsten-pipe-company-catalog/
https://rebornpipes.com/tag/kirsten-pipe-catalogue/
This is 1974-75
https://rebornpipes.com/2017/03/09/1975-1976-kirsten-pipe-company-catalog/
https://rebornpipes.com/tag/kirsten-pipe-catalog/
This is 1976-77
https://rebornpipes.com/tag/kirsten-pipe-company-catalogue/
This is perhaps the last catalog made, well into the 80´s.
https://rebornpipes.com/tag/1973-1974-kirsten-pipe-company-catalog/
https://rebornpipes.com/tag/kirsten-pipe-catalogue/
This is 1974-75
https://rebornpipes.com/2017/03/09/1975-1976-kirsten-pipe-company-catalog/
https://rebornpipes.com/tag/kirsten-pipe-catalog/
This is 1976-77
https://rebornpipes.com/tag/kirsten-pipe-company-catalogue/
This is perhaps the last catalog made, well into the 80´s.
I grabbed about 15 copies of that catalog, sent them to people... only to realize I hadn't kept one. By the time I returned, they were out.
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