My second attempt at trying to restore an estate pipe - a Comoy

[shikano53]

Not very good at this, but Anyway here are a few shots of some work I did on a Comoy I purchased.
Before shots.

Pipe was pretty good when I got it and the bowl was already reamed very nicely so I didn't touch or do a retort.

Like I said, not up to spec I'm sure but I'm happy with it.



After shots






The little pit or fill visible to the right of the 284 isn't visible looking at the pipe. I had to put a mag glass on it before I noticed it.

 

[wolfe64]

Not very good at this ????

That pipe looks great :mrgreen:
Mark

 

[jkrug]

I'd say you did a fine job for a second go at it. If you're happy with it then that's all that really matters. Well done. :clap:

 

[gloucesterman]

Nicely done, especially for a second attempt. Keep at it and it will get better and easier. There is a special satisfaction to smoking a pipe you have brought back to life. Keep up the good work.

 

[aldecaker]

Nice work. I keep my tweaking to increasing airway diameters, and nothing more. It's for fear I would take a pipe like that and ruin it! You have the touch, my friend.

 

[rcstan]

Not bad. Shiny. Honestly, and I hope it's the camera, it seems you've rolled over the edges of the stem face and buffed the bejeezus out of that thing to where it appears that it's about 1/4 mm smaller than the shank. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt. Common mistake

I don't mean to criticize ( I do this resto thing for a living for SPC ), just pointing out things. Slow it down a hair, and never, I mean never, touch the stem face, edges, or tenon with anything abrasive.

 

[snagstangl]

That looks great! I think that it was not reamed. If I recall there was still crosshatching from what ever was used to machine the chamber initially, I dont think it was smoked but I didn't clean the inside of the stem before sending it off. But the real question is how does it smoke?

 

[shikano53]

rcscan,

Thanks for the information and don't ever feel like you are criticizing. The tips are exactly what I want. And yes, I did use micropads up through the full range. What do you mean when you say stem face? All help welcome.

Hey snag, thanks for the comments. I will smoke a bowl tomorrow morning and let you know.

Kindly

 

[ssjones]

Looks pretty good to me. 284 shapes are pretty rare and sought after. It looks like there is a "P" stamp on the stem, which is very curious (Peterson stem). If so, someone did a great job matching it to the pipe.

 

[doctorbob]

It is a Gainsboro pipe, a Comoy second(?), with a script G on the stem. I used to have one about twenty years ago from my grandfather, but I haven't seen it in years.

 

[doctorbob]

Nice job, by the way. It can be tricky to clean an heavily oxidized stem. If I have one that hasn't been overbuffed at the face or with a good button, I tread VERY lightly in those areas to preserve the lines. To the extent of sometimes leaving a little faint oxidation in place, since I am only restoring for my own personal use.

 

[ssjones]

Very interesting, I want familiar with that stamp and that explains the excellent stem fitment.

 

[pepesdad1]

Gainsboro is NOT listed as a Comoy second in any of the "identifying sites". Nice looking pipe however.

 

[doctorbob]

Identifying sites are incomplete. The presence of a Comoy shape number and COM stamp indicate the affiliation, fills present would indicate either a sub brand, 2nd, or possibly a store branded pipe.
I have a silver mounted F.L.C. pipe with a London hallmark dated 1921, I have located print advertising for this brand to include both company and store adverts dated from 1920-1924 (incidentally indicating pricing at the level of Barling- Not cheap), and yet this apparently short lived concern didn't exist as far as internet identifying sites are concerned.
There is a lot out there that hasn't been documented yet.

 

[ssjones]

That nomenclature is most definitely Comoys but that is curious. I don't have access to my copy of "Who Made That Pipe", it would be interesting to check that. I thought that I knew all the Comoys sub-brands, but I guess not! This is the first Gainesboro pipe I've seen, thanks for sharing.

 

[papipeguy]

You did a fine job on that pipe and if it gives you a satisfying smoke then so much the better. Enjoy.

 

[shikano53]

Thank you for all the help and very interesting comments.

I will have to do some more digging and reading.

It does say made in England.

 

[pruss]

Congrats on another restoration... be careful, or you'll make a hobby of this too!

What do you mean when you say stem face?

The stem face would be the flat part of the stem from which the tenon protrudes. It should mate flush against the shank when the tenon is inserted into the mortise.
Take a look at your photos above. Do you see how the stem, where it meets the shank, looks like it folds in towards the draft hole? This is rounding, likely due to losing material during buffing or sanding the stem without it being attached to the shank.
The easiest way to keep this from happening is to be VERY gentle when removing oxidation in this location and to always make sure that when you're working on the stem that it is inserted into the shank. You can tape the briar of the shank to make sure that you don't sand/buff the shank itself.
Keep it up, you'll only get better as you clean up more pipes.
-- Pat

 

[shikano53]

Thanks Pat, I see what you mean now. I will do as you mentioned next iteration.

Snag, she smokes awesome! This is definitely going into my rotation.

 

[pepesdad1]

You are spot on re: the nomenclature...sure looks like Comoy.