Why, other than I was intrigued by the little bullseye of a dot on the stem, did I purchase this pipe?
The price was right. I think I paid $10 for it. The pipe is literally made by a company that calls itself... Pipe Maker. Other than the words, 'Imported Briar' nothing else is written on the pipe.
The pipe appears to be little smoked as evidenced by how quickly the mortise and other inside areas cleaned up. It did not want to easily pass a pipe cleaner through the stem, but that may have had more to do with me trying to raise some suspicious pitting near the button area of the stem.
I cleaned up the briar with micro mesh and worked on the stem in the same manner. I used some black CS glue on the pitting and I can see that it needs a bit more sanding.
The pipe appears to be the quality of a lower grade Dr. Grabow. The stem is cheap vulcanite and the briar has noticeable fills. I had planned to send it out for a refurbishment, but I am positive I don't want to sink another dime into it - other than being used as a historical piece, this pipe may end up going to my brother. If it does, he will quickly burn a hole through it as he does all of his pipes. He has a massive case of ADHD and it is what it is.
So - pipedia had nothing on this pipe that I could find. Does anyone have anything to offer? I see them offered on eBay from time to time, often at ridiculous prices for really rotten examples. This one at least looks handsome enough, even if it is a dime store pipe.
The price was right. I think I paid $10 for it. The pipe is literally made by a company that calls itself... Pipe Maker. Other than the words, 'Imported Briar' nothing else is written on the pipe.
The pipe appears to be little smoked as evidenced by how quickly the mortise and other inside areas cleaned up. It did not want to easily pass a pipe cleaner through the stem, but that may have had more to do with me trying to raise some suspicious pitting near the button area of the stem.
I cleaned up the briar with micro mesh and worked on the stem in the same manner. I used some black CS glue on the pitting and I can see that it needs a bit more sanding.
The pipe appears to be the quality of a lower grade Dr. Grabow. The stem is cheap vulcanite and the briar has noticeable fills. I had planned to send it out for a refurbishment, but I am positive I don't want to sink another dime into it - other than being used as a historical piece, this pipe may end up going to my brother. If it does, he will quickly burn a hole through it as he does all of his pipes. He has a massive case of ADHD and it is what it is.
So - pipedia had nothing on this pipe that I could find. Does anyone have anything to offer? I see them offered on eBay from time to time, often at ridiculous prices for really rotten examples. This one at least looks handsome enough, even if it is a dime store pipe.