Need Advice Please

[Pipe & Art Lover]

Hello Fellow Pipe Enthusiasts,

I purchased a NEW, old stock pipe from what I guess is from the early ‘70’s - the pipe store went out of business decades ago. It’s a Stanwell, marked De Luxe 969-48, but Denmark does not appear underneath those markings, and no other markings exist.

Being unsmoked, I’m considering selling it as I’m more of a Dunhill and Castello guy but having said that I do have other Preben Holm and old Ben Wade pipes that I enjoy.

As far as the advice, any thoughts on selling vs. keeping and enjoying? Are they good smoking pipes? Would this be a Denmark pipe despite not having the marking? Any other details on what it is would be helpful and appreciated. How much would it bring if I decided to sell?

Thank you so much in advance! James

 

[dmcmtk]

With the REGD. No. marking, yes Danish made. The acrylic stem...not what I would expect to see, I would expect vulcanite with the Stanwell S, but with a "fancy freehand" from that period, it's possible.

 

[craig61a]

I have one that is very similar to that one. It bears the registration number, but no shape number or stamp identifying it as being made in Denmark, other than the registration number, which would be correct for that pipe.

Made in late 1960's or the 1970's to capitalize on the Freehand craze popular at the time. It bears no shape number as it was not shaped to any specific catalog shape.

Are they good smoking pipes? Yes, in general.

As for the stamping, it's not like it's a rare error making it more valuable...

Unsmoked I would expect it to have a value in the $75 to $100 dollar range.

 

[craig61a]

Actually, I just looked at mine, and it is stamped “Denmark” at the bottom of the nomenclature block.

So whomever was doing the stamping that day probably just forgot that stamp...

 

[Pipe & Art Lover]

All great info so far, thank you so much!

 

[Chasing Embers]

With the REGD. No. marking, yes Danish made. The acrylic stem...not what I would expect to see, I would expect vulcanite with the Stanwell S, but with a "fancy freehand" from that period, it's possible.

That is a curious stem choice for that ferrule.

 

[saltedplug]

If you feel fairly confident you might smoke it, keep it, but don't smoke it unless you'll sure you will. You can always decide later.

 

[OzPiper]

I have a very similar pipe which I bought new in the mid-70s.
Plateau top with a square shank and vulcanite extension. It's stamped Made in Denmark and Hand Made on the underside of the shank.
The vulcanite has the Stanwell "S" with crown on top.
If your stem does not have the Stanwell logo it is most likely a replacement stem, as vulcanite stems were pretty standard for the era.

 

[chopper]

Fair bet that's a replacement stem.
That would definitely affect the value.

A Stanwell Freehand should be a good smoker. Fire it up.

Usually I quite like coloured and marbled stems but l'm not a fan of that lilac number.
If it's an army mount [?] finding a black replacement stem should be easy enough.

 

[OzPiper]

If you're planning on keeping that pipe to smoke, then the stem is not a problem
If you're planning on selling it, a replacement stem will affect its value significantly.
You can get The Danish Pipe Shop to make you a replacement stem, complete with Stanwell logo, but I'm sure the figures won't add up if you're planning to sell it. As @craig61a said, it's not a high value pipe.

 

[Grangerous]

I own a handful of Denmark Stanwells, DM 1987, 1989, 1983 and several Royal Danish (bearing the Crown only). Every one of these smoke beautifully. I don’t own any Stanwells produced outside of the old factory. Mine are all classic billiards.

 

[mso489]

I haven't smoked a Stanwell made in Denmark, but the four Italian made pipes I have boast good open draw and good fit and finish. I appreciate the preference for Danish made Danish pipes, but the Italians make fine pipes, and the Danish/Italian collaboration works. Referring back to the original post, it made me wonder if Stanwell farmed out some pipe production long before they went entirely to Italy. I think Nording has some of his work done out of country. I think the nation stamps on pipes are prideful but not necessarily a accurate these days.