Linkman’s Grabow Question

[Ahi Ka]

I know this is an oldie because of the stem logo. What I really want to know is whether or not it is actually the pre-patent release - so like c1932?

It doesn’t have any patent stamps, or model numbers, only “Linkman’s Dr Grabow”.

Chur.

 

[Chasing Embers]

As shiny as it is, the patent stamping may have been buffed off. I've got a patent era with the stem propeller and the silver circle on the shank. Patent numbers on both the briar and stem.

 

[Ahi Ka]

I got this pipe at the same time as all of these which I was able to place with stamping/logo/pat. numbers. Fair call about the potential over buffing. Something I hadn’t considered.

 

[newbroom]

I've got 3 propeller pipes with Linkman's lineage. All have or had those 'scoop' looking stingers, and screw together. They are among the most prized of my pipes and none look as pristine as yours do.
I think that the square shanked pipe has not been over buffed. If the patent # isn't on the other side of the shank, it likely was not put on.

 

[JimInks]

I've got 3 propeller pipes with Linkman's lineage. All have or had those 'scoop' looking stingers, and screw together. They are among the most prized of my pipes and none look as pristine as yours do.
I think that the square shanked pipe has not been over buffed. If the patent # isn't on the other side of the shank, it likely was not put on.

I agree with this.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

You are collecting Grabows in New Zealand? How awesome is that?

 

[PipeIT]

Nice looking collection, did you get all those locally in NZ?

 

[Ahi Ka]

I only have the square shank pictured above and a small Belvedere. The other patent era stuff went to a mate who is obsessed with hey-day tobacciana. I sorted him with a 7day set - 5 early linkman’s, a pre-pat/post-law suit Viking and early white coloured adjustomatic featuring the captain black boat on the side. I have dispersed a few around the country too for people getting into pipes. with tobacco prices being so high, I refuse to let anyone start off on the wrong foot with a shoddy piece of briar. About 20 linkman’s and LHS pipes were sent over by a generous forum member for the operation. After trying most of them, I agree that the pre-44 era stuff is top class. I’d also say that the blue spade (filtered) first release grand duke was really good.

 

[mso489]

Ah, those buffers. They're erasing pipe history.

 

[Ahi Ka]

I’m not sure it has fallen prey to over zealous buffing, but I’m not certain. And while I’m 90% sure it is pre-patent, that is a pretty big claim to make. I was hoping someone here would have some pre-patents in their collection so we could compare. The chamber, bit and stinger/tenon are all in great condition

 

[JimInks]

Except for the lack of a shield on top of the shank, that pipe, metal tenon and all looks like the patent LDG that I have.


Have you tried using a magnifying glass to see if there's any remnants of a patent number? I don't know if you can prove your pipe is a pre-patent, but I know a guy who may have an idea. I'll PM you his address.

 

[Ahi Ka]

Thanks Jim.

I’ve had a good look with the magnifying glass and can’t see any remnants of stamping. What i find strange is the lack of model/shape number too. While I had these other pipes I compared the stampings between them to see if it would help place it.

 

[PipeIT]

Enjoy that pipe!


I never thought much of Dr. Grabow starting out as a pipe smoker, but boy oh boy, some of the older Estates are sure sweet.

My 1967-1969, Commodore 65 Zulu doesn’t have a stinger on it, and it has some really insane blast on it, which ai never expected to see such blast on these pipes.

I’d love to find more nice Estate Dr. Grabow, just don’t know other than RadiantPipes on Etsy, anyone else who specializes in them.

 

[Ahi Ka]

Just got schooled on this linkman’s:

“Those factories were so big before the war they had people/machines cracking out pieces parts. After the war the supply chain was fucked. Like now.

They did what they could to keep the service folks, many of whom started smoking a pipe bought at the base store, knee deep in pipes.

Pipe smoking was huge until the early 80’s.

That pipe is post patent. My guess is 1945-55.

After the war scraps were turned in to pipes.

Kaywoodie and LHS did the same thing.

Those are the most challenging years to date”

 

[joeman]

Except for the lack of a shield on top of the shank, that pipe, metal tenon and all looks like the patent LDG that I have.
View attachment 106854

Have you tried using a magnifying glass to see if there's any remnants of a patent number? I don't know if you can prove your pipe is a pre-patent, but I know a guy who may have an idea. I'll PM you his address.

 

[joeman]

Enjoy that pipe!


I never thought much of Dr. Grabow starting out as a pipe smoker, but boy oh boy, some of the older Estates are sure sweet.

My 1967-1969, Commodore 65 Zulu doesn’t have a stinger on it, and it has some really insane blast on it, which ai never expected to see such blast on these pipes.

I’d love to find more nice Estate Dr. Grabow, just don’t know other than RadiantPipes on Etsy, anyone else who specializes in them.

Enjoy that pipe!


I never thought much of Dr. Grabow starting out as a pipe smoker, but boy oh boy, some of the older Estates are sure sweet.

My 1967-1969, Commodore 65 Zulu doesn’t have a stinger on it, and it has some really insane blast on it, which ai never expected to see such blast on these pipes.

I’d love to find more nice Estate Dr. Grabow, just don’t know other than RadiantPipes on Etsy, anyone else who specializes in them.


View attachment 106899

View attachment 106901

View attachment 106904

View attachment 106902

Curious why you believe this is specifically 67 - 69? Commodore started in 1960, and went for 30 years. I will agree that it's an earlier one, because the spade appears to be the more "pearlescent" material as opposed to the pure white which followed. I'd agree with 60's.

 

[joeman]

Just got schooled on this linkman’s:

“Those factories were so big before the war they had people/machines cracking out pieces parts. After the war the supply chain was fucked. Like now.

They did what they could to keep the service folks, many of whom started smoking a pipe bought at the base store, knee deep in pipes.

Pipe smoking was huge until the early 80’s.

That pipe is post patent. My guess is 1945-55.

After the war scraps were turned in to pipes.

Kaywoodie and LHS did the same thing.

Those are the most challenging years to date”

I disagree with 1945 - 55. Grabows made after 1944 were not stamped with the Linkman name. Your pipe has 1930's written all over it, despite the missing information. The custom 'propeller' (which were often so custom that you'd think someone used a hatchet to cut it in) and the linkman stamping put it most definitely in the 1930's or early 40's latest before they changed over to a spade, and then eliminated the Linkman name. Could it be pre-patent? It could be. Or much more likely...it could be that BEFORE it received the silver shield onto the shank...the line name (DeLuxe, Tru-Grain, etc), the patent number, the shape stamping...that a factory worker gave himself a 5-finger discount. This happened a LOT during all Grabow history. We don't know what line this was, nor it's exact age...but with that stinger and propeller, I'm betting my marbles on 1930's. Just not betting on pre-patent...because it's not just the patent #1896800 that's missing...but most of the stampings never made it onto this pipe.

 

[Ahi Ka]

Thanks for weighing in @joeman. Your conclusion feels right to me - this pipe also has a couple of obvious fills on it, whereas the other patent deluxes I’ve had were a lot cleaner wood stock.

 

[PipeIT]

Curious why you believe this is specifically 67 - 69? Commodore started in 1960, and went for 30 years. I will agree that it's an earlier one, because the spade appears to be the more "pearlescent" material as opposed to the pure white which followed. I'd agree with 60's.

Peter the owner of RadiantPipes on Etsy where I bought it, said he specializes in Dr. Grabow and Kaywoodie and listed it with these dates.

RadiantPipes - Etsy

Shop Obsessive Restorer of Vintage & Estate Tobacco Pipes. by RadiantPipes located in Santa Barbara, California. Smooth shipping! Has a history of shipping on time with tracking. Rave reviews! Average review rating is 4.8 or higher

www.etsy.com

Also the way I’m reading Pipedia on Dr. Grabow, the Commodore is from 1964 and the blasts started in 67-69, which were also listed under Sculptura which were 67-69.

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• COMMODORE (c1964) -- First appears in a magazine ad for $7.95 as early as 1964. Like the Sculptura, later models were sandblasted in a "big" blast circa 1967-69 (See "Sculptura" for details.)

• SCULPTURA (c1967-69?) -- Newest of the RJR special offer pipes. These were sandblasted in a "big" blast. The operator stood with his hands in heavy rubber gloves and blasted away grain. He could only do about 50 pieces an hour. Prior to this, most "sandblasted" pipes were tumbled in a contraption like a cement mixer using walnut shells as the media. Dr. Grabow really never got into that, but waited until they could do it "right" using glass shot.

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Dr. Grabow Models (Series,Line) Names Through the Years - Pipedia

pipedia.org

 

[PipeIT]

Forgot to mention, from reading around, since this is blasted, and looks somewhat similar to other ‘big blast’ I’ve seen, this I believed is why it’s listed as 67-69 for the ‘big blast’ circa.