So I just received the little calabash that I paid the ridiculously small sum of £20 (around $33) for. It is little- 15cm or 6 inches in the old money from tip to tip:
Not quite visible on the as yet uncleaned silver band is the silver hallmark from 1908. It isn't absolutely perfect- there's no air getting in that gap, but it's not the most aesthetically pleasing thing.
The bowl hasn't been loved as it ought to have been:
In fact, it REALLY hasn't. I don't think there's any help for this at all. I did just for the hell of it try a quick snifter in it- it smokes, and it's OK- but seriously, would you?
That snifter was rendered quite ghastly by who knows how many years of carbon:
So there you have it. OK, he's not without his issues, but at 106 years old, who isn't?
I'm entirely smitten with this little calabash. I just really love this pipe. I will restore him to glory. With patience and a soft hand and kind words.
I just need to find a new bowl- this may be problematic. The trumpet end is 29mm (1 9/64 inches if you prefer). Who knows though? I may get a chunk of meerschaum and do it myself. If I can grind a telescope mirror, how hard can it be?
Not quite visible on the as yet uncleaned silver band is the silver hallmark from 1908. It isn't absolutely perfect- there's no air getting in that gap, but it's not the most aesthetically pleasing thing.
The bowl hasn't been loved as it ought to have been:
In fact, it REALLY hasn't. I don't think there's any help for this at all. I did just for the hell of it try a quick snifter in it- it smokes, and it's OK- but seriously, would you?
That snifter was rendered quite ghastly by who knows how many years of carbon:
So there you have it. OK, he's not without his issues, but at 106 years old, who isn't?
I'm entirely smitten with this little calabash. I just really love this pipe. I will restore him to glory. With patience and a soft hand and kind words.
I just need to find a new bowl- this may be problematic. The trumpet end is 29mm (1 9/64 inches if you prefer). Who knows though? I may get a chunk of meerschaum and do it myself. If I can grind a telescope mirror, how hard can it be?