Looking for a Restorer: 1925 Dunhill CK Shell

[Honkytonk Man]

There is/was a Dunhill on EBay recently with a very green stem
The vendor described as a briar pipe with a wooden stem

I suppose it IS unkind to laugh at such an elementary error.
I'm just curious to see if a "collector" will pay big bucks for an ultra-rare wooden-stemmed Dunhill

Not at all. Laugh away. These people then demand ridiculously high prices for, let's be honest here, something that they have no idea about, which requires skill and knowledge to make good.

 

[VDL_Piper]

Well this pipe will be well traveled by the time it’s finally finished. The seller posted the pipe to me here in Australia rather than to George as requested so it now has to go back to the U.S and then back to me which is a conservative 30,000 miles. Any way it’s allowed me to get my hands on it and hold it and I have to say I’m neither disappointed or worried with my purchase, it’s just superb even in its current condition. I will post pictures here now of it disassembled but everything looks bang on. One thing I have noticed is the stummel which appeared shrunken in the purchase images has either taken on moisture in its travels or it was a very deceptive photo as it now seems to be very close to a normal fit. The other thing the pipe has that I didn’t know about is a stinger which has patent number as well. The other things I note are that the pipe almost looks bronze in the hand, very unusual and the pipe has some unsmoked tobacco in the bottom of the chamber.
I have also included a comparison pic next to a Savinelli 320 for reference
.

@georged I will package this up over the next few days and forward it to you so you can instill some love on this old pipe.

 

[georged]

Sounds like a plan.

A world class rarity in "unsophisticated" condition is a Lifetime find.

 

[Ahi Ka]

@VDL_Piper did you have to pay duty on that unsmoked tobacco in the bowl?!?

 

[guylesss]

Not a "stinget" but what is almost certainly its original, patented aluminum "innertube."

 

[VDL_Piper]

@VDL_Piper did you have to pay duty on that unsmoked tobacco in the bowl?!?

Oh shivers this made me laugh out loud you kiwi bugger

 

[UB 40]

Looking for a restorer for the below pipe. If anyone knows of someone or would like to have a crack let me know.
View attachment 171274

If you bought the pipe for smoking, you can do the work with “household items” I think. Especially your household should hold some sandpaper for the stem (George shows how to it in you tube video), get a toothbrush for the bowl and some water, try to get the cake out with a reamer and sanding paper, pipe cleaners and some isopropyl alcohol for the airway.

It should be ready for smoking in no time.

Otherwise, if you’re building up a collection, handle it with white gloves until some of the restorers got their precious talents on that one.

 

[ssjones]

Sounds like a plan.

A world class rarity in "unsophisticated" condition is a Lifetime find.

That sums it up perfectly. The worlds oldest known CK shape. I wish we knew why we've never seen one this old (or remotely close to that age).

The size is spot on for the CK shape, a 7/8th's Sav 320 in size.

 

[UB 40]

Sorry VDL-Piper I just didn’t recognise that you’ve made the deal already. Congrats!

 

[jpmcwjr]

<< Snipped bits out >>

One thing I have noticed is the stummel which appeared shrunken in the purchase images has either taken on moisture in its travels or it was a very deceptive photo as it now seems to be very close to a normal fit. << Snipped bits out >>

Some photos make the stem/stummel fit look off.
In any event, congratulations and enjoy in rude good health!

 

[ThermionicScott]

That sums it up perfectly. The worlds oldest known CK shape. I wish we knew why we've never seen one this old (or remotely close to that age).

The size is spot on for the CK shape, a 7/8th's Sav 320 in size.

Would that make it pretty close to a 321 then?

 

[alaskanpiper]

You've made the right choice here. If you do not have significant experience in cleaning up very old estates, this is NOT the pipe to learn on! It will be in good hands with @georged

 

[didimauw]

Yes be sure to post updates!

 

[peteguy]

If you ask me this is like a barn find automobile. Cant wait to see the progress.

 

[Ksigel]

There are quite a few members showing their work cleaning and restorations on the “Pipe Repair and Maintenance” section.

Why don’t you contact them directly to ask if they will take on the job for you.

Steve Laug of Rebornpipes has looked after a couple of my pipes. He does have quite a long waiting list.

I’m sure a member or two will chime in with recommendations

If you’re in the EU or the UK, The Danish Pipe Shop is an option

Amen to contacting Steve. His site also has tons of DIY articles and tips on tools. He has a toolbox section is quite helpful. He is an advocate “school pipes”. Nasty old low value pipes to practice on. I’ve learned a lot that way and in doing so gained confidence. GO SLOW LIKE A PRO.

 

[Jef]

Wow! Did this go to hell in a hand basket in a nanosecond. Cleaning is not restoration, just a potential step in that direction. Restoration involves treatment to restore the physical, structural integrity of the pipe. Making it pretty is cleaning.

Which is why, when I first posted this pipe:
Before:

and after:

I specifically said I cleaned it up and did not consider this a restoration.

I had a decade of doing restoration of fine and occasionally vintage (think 18th century - try matching centuries old alloy content and processing) antique jewelry. Only part of that process was cosmetic. The actual restoration involved fabrication of elements made of precious metals that needed to blend with the original, without damaging the original, and which matched the various melting points of that antique metal, such that that 21.5 karat solid gold chain mail clutch purse didn't dissolve into a pool of gold.

As far as a restorer who I would entrust any of my pipes for the best possible result, it's georged.

What a beautiful pipe !!!
jef

 

[ssjones]

Any update on the restoration and/or cleaning?

 

[georged]

It apparently got tangled up in international shipping for some reason, or was never sent.

Still waiting, in any event.

 

[ssjones]

It apparently got tangled up in international shipping for some reason, or was never sent.

Still waiting, in any event.

Too bad, hopefully not lost, that would be a tragedy.

 

[guylesss]

'Tis the season of heart-stopping delays with international packages in transit. All the worse because tracking updates can go quiet for days. Indeed, it's almost as if--at some point in their Christmas Eve workday--all postal employees in the world, gazing at the mountain of still-to-be-delivered parcels, collectively shrug a big Why Bother? And in my experience package delivery between Christmas and a few days after New Year's ceases almost everywhere, as surely as Italy in August, during strikes (which amounts to much the same thing), or blizzards.

Have Faith George--and @VDL_Piper-- all may yet be right.