new garage sale pipe

[skysmith]

All I found on it is "flame grain meerschaum imported briar 76B pipe"
From what I can tell it is a Kaywoodie with a Meerschaum insert in the bowl.
Anything special I should know about cleaning a meerschaum liner before I clean it up?

 

[ssjones]

That should clean up nicely! Fred Bass is an authority on Meerschaum pipes. Below is his write-up on cleaning a meerschaum estate.

https://rebornpipes.com/2012/08/01/cleaning-up-estate-meerschaums-fred-bass/

 

[fluffie666]

I really should start going to more garage sales. You seem to be having some fine luck finding pipes.
Anyway, I'd clean out the shank as I would with any briar pipe. With lots of pipe cleaners and high proof alcohol. Soak and clean the stinger in the same. As for the meer lined chamber, my nurotic nature tells me not to use the salt and alcohol treatment after reaming it. No retort either. My fear would be softening the meer. Meet linings are usually compressed meerschaum and not carved from a single block. I'd ream the cake out as close as I possibly could get to the lining with a reaming tool (or very carefully and as evenly as possible with a blunt ended sharp knife) and then a quick few swipes inside the chamber with some sand paper to get a very thin layer of meerschaum removed. After that, if you want to go crazy, you can go with finer sand paper 400 - 800 grit would be a safe bet. 600 - 1000 would be my choice. It's a little more work but you'll have better control over how much material is removed.
Btw, ssjones is the man. His advise is sound.

 

[mso489]

Some areas have better garages than others. Nice catch!

 

[skysmith]

Thanks for the link and advice. I have a friend that goes to sales more than me. She seems to find pipes and hats for me.

 

[skysmith]

From another sale I have a Roley pocket pipe, a London really large bent pipe, two kaywoodie white bowls without stems and an air condition something. I need to get pictures of those.