New GBD 9438 - Super Flame

[ssjones]

I'm a big fan of the GBD 9438 and I have nine models in the various finishes, including one City De Luxe. This "Super Flame" was listed on Ebay last week, a line I have never seen or heard of. I have some documents listing the various GBD lines, but there is absolutely no reference to a "Super Flame". GBD's are great pipes, but they just don't have good grain, being machine made. The grain on this one looked really nice as was the condition. I made an off-Ebay deal for the pipe, which is always a little risky. The seller, "provincetradingco" had an excellent reputation and a large number of sales, typically in high end goods. Oddly, when he pulled down the sale, he changed the picture to a generic "old pipe" and the description. I was plenty nervous and quite relived to open the FedEx package and find the 9438 exactly as advertised.
The pipe is in excellent condition, with just a few handling marks. The stem is immaculate. The grain on this one is equal to my James Upshall B grade pipe. I may try and hold out smoking it until Christmas Day...

 

[tbradsim1]

Al that is just beautiful!

 

[timely]

Love this pipe Al.

What a beauty.

 

[petes03]

That's a beautiful Rhodesian! Congrats!
P. S. If it were me, I'd fire that puppy up!

 

[papipeguy]

Very nice, Al. It's aptly named given the flame grain. Enjoy and I agree with pete03, fire it up. Happy smoke rings.

 

[martiniman]

I was watching that pipe from the time it was listed, I could not discern the size so I let it go. It looked beefy. I glad it found a good home. Congrats.

 

[lestrout]

Al - purdy, dat. Why don't you compromise and inaugurate that chubby at the KW XMas event? BTW, I didn't realize GBD Super Flames were so undocumented. I got a nice SP dawg in the 549E.
hp

les

 

[rockvillepete]

What a beauty Al! Funny, I just picked up a New Standard 9438 last week with some very nice birdseye but this one is just gorgeous! Congrats!

 

[ssjones]

Al - purdy, dat. Why don't you compromise and inaugurate that chubby at the KW XMas event? BTW, I didn't realize GBD Super Flames were so undocumented. I got a nice SP dawg in the 549E.
hp

les

Thanks guys.
Les:I am considering that, but I hate breaking in a new-to-me pipe at an event. I yak too much and don't pay enough attention to the pipe! At any rate, it will make the trip
Rockville Pete: New Standard GBD's are supposed to be mid-grade, but I found a lot of them to be have quite nice briar (I had two New Stanard 9438's, sold one for a better version).
I still aspire to a New Era 9438 and a Virgin with a vulcanite stem (I have a perspex Virgin)

 

[philobeddoe]

That's a gorgeous pirce of briar, good find. I hope she smokes as sweet as she looks.

 

[misterlowercase]

Congrats on such a fine example.
It certainly found its way to the right home,

your collection of 9438's is grand,

and your love and enthusiasm is inspirational!

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[pitchfork]

That's quite a find, Al. What a great addition to your collection. Rhodesians in general, never mind GBD's, rarely have nice straight grain. That one is doubly rare. Congrats.

 

[voorhees]

So nice Al. You certainly have a knack for finding and securing nice GBD's.

 

[rockymtnsmoker]

That is a beaut! Aside from the shape of the shank, though, is that more Bulldog than Rhodesian? What are the other factors that differentiate the two? Regardless, I love that shape and will be on the lookout. Happy puffing.

 

[snagstangl]

I saw that one as well, nice.

 

[peckinpahhombre]

Wow, Al, that grain is fantastic. I take it you have no idea as to when it was likely made?

 

[lordnoble]

That is a real looker, Al! I normally prefer square shanks to round, but this one is making a very good argument for round. Beautiful!
I have a GBD Midnight with a square shank (but it's too tall to be a bulldog in my opinion) and a beautifully marbled lucite stem that is a great smoker. If like to get a bent bulldog. Any suggestions on what I should look for? I know little to nothing about GBD grades and shapes.
-Jason

 

[ssjones]

Rockymtn: The 9438 is generally known as a Rhodesian (bulldogs, to me have diamond shanks).
Peck: You never know with GBD's, this one with "London, England" straight line stamping and the brass rondell was made before the merger with Cadogan in 1981 (when they went to a stamped stem logo)
Jason: The 549, to me is the classic GBD Bulldog. Here's one I restored and sold, I haven't found another one in that shape, so one I wish I'd have kept...

http://rebornpipes.wordpress.com/2012/11/18/gbd-bulldog-549-new-standard-restoration/
Btw, this one is approximately 55 grams, within a few grams of my other 9438's (I'll weight it on a digital scale this week for a more precise measurement)

 

[rmason]

Al that is a great GBD, congrats and hope is xmokes well for you.

~Ron

 

[uberam3rica]

I may try and hold out smoking it until Christmas Day...

Good luck with that!