Very interesting. I've wondered if those stamped stem pipes, with with the straight line "London, England" stamping were made just after or during the merger (the seller alleges this). I'll interested in Mike's feedback.
I've seen rondell pipes with the post merger, round "Made in London, England" stamp and assumed those to be made at the merger point (which isn't crystal clear in date, 1981-1982?). It made sense (to me!) that they might have just used up the brass rondell supply, before switching to the stamped stem log.
But for them to make straight line COM mark pipes with a stamped rondell isn't consistent with that thinking. Of course it just be random, based on the whim of the guys on the line?
I wish there were someone around who managed the factory in those latter days. If they were 40 years old then, they would be in their 70's today.
Hallmarked GBD unique's bring up to $1,000, so I guess these are priced right.
I wish member "neverbend" was still participating on the forum (Pete Siegel). He handled a lot of GBD's in that era. Once he told me that he quit carrying GBD's because Smokers Haven received all the good ones and what he was sent was sub-par (briar had flaws to his eye).
I'll stay tuned for Mike's comments.
