Linkman's Dr. Grabow Questions

[agnosticpipe]

I got this old Linkman's Dr. Grabow because I liked the little slice of history it represents, and it was a nice looking little pipe. The previous owner had reamed the top part of the bowl only, maybe with a knife, and left the cake build up in the bottom of the bowl so that It was about 3/8 in. across. So the top inner bowl is scraped to the wood, and presented a challenge removing the bottom cake. It didn't come out too bad though. I haven't had much success dating the pipe, even after looking up a lot of info on line. Looks like it might be from the late 40s, but I'm not sure. I hadn't seen one with the little spade stamped in the wood on the shank by the bowl before either, and it looks like maybe it had some silver paint in it. On the side it's stamped "Linkman's - Dr. Grabow - Select Grain". On the other side it has "8456A - Imported Bruyere", and on the bottom, "Pre-Smoked, US Pat. and Pat.No.*******", it's illegible. A lot of info for such a little pipe!

Another issue I have is in regards to the stinger. I hate it. In fact I don't like anything between the bit and the bowl. I was toying with cutting part of it off, so as to be able to run a pipe cleaner all the way through, but I have no idea if it might ruin what little collectable value the pipe might have. I'm more interested in smoking it, not collecting pipes. So I am a little conflicted about this course of action. Am I over thinking it, or should I just say screw it, and hack the thing off?

Any thoughts on this? I don't want to be disrespectful of a nicely made old pipe, but it's not a high value pipe, right?

 

[weezell]

I'd pm ejames and ask him...

 

[ejames]

No,it's not worth a lot of money,maybe $20.00-- $30.00 to someone looking for one. At the time it was made the Select Grain was the top of the Grabow line up and The only line with the spade on the shank.Like the Kaywoodies a lot of the old Linkmans have had the stinger clipped. I collect the Linkmans but will not buy one if the stinger is not intact unless it is a rare shape. Although the Select Grains are not as common as the other lines this one is not a rare shape.Maybe you should try it out with the stinger in place and if you don't like it then sell or trade it.

 

[nachman]

I pulled the stinger out of a Linkman once and wished I hadn't. I got tobacco up the stem ever after and it didn't smoke better. It is still around somewhere.

 

[petes03]

Sorry, no info on the pipe. It's a beauty though!
P. S. +1 on hating stingers!

 

[lifeon2]

Yep I'm with Ed on this one leave the stinger as is and of course if you are ever looking to get rid of it give me a shout

 

[shayde]

I'd be interested in it as well

 

[agnosticpipe]

I'd like to thank everyone for your replies, and I guess I'll stick with late 40s age for now. I tried smoking the pipe as is, and I find it actually smokes ok. I'm just used to easier drawing pipes, but this isn't as bad as I thought. I guess I'll let my wife have a go at it before making any decisions. At this time I think I'll leave the stinger alone, and use the pipe as designed. If it doesn't fly for me or my wife, I'll give lifeon and shayde a call, and maybe see about a trade or something. Thanks guys....