PAD Drove Me to Buy an Old Dunhill

Log in

SmokingPipes.com Updates

Watch for Updates Twice a Week

PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor

PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor

PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor

PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor

PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor

Status
Not open for further replies.

newbroom

Lifer
Jul 11, 2014
6,087
6,394
Florida
I have begun to think my focus may be misplaced. Pipes can become an obsession, but, they're not much good w/o tobacco...TAD might be a better priority, and is developing nicely.
One name that seems to hold its value more than most others in production pipes of vintage manufacture, is of course Dunhill.
I chased one yesterday on fleabay not thinking I'd win. Imagine my surprise this a.m. to long onto the auction site and find I'd 'won'....got a bent blasted billiard #656....looks well used...including shipping still under $70.00.
Maybe now I can rest from the pipe quest and build up the cellar.
http://tinyurl.com/ph26xk4

 

pruss

Lifer
Feb 6, 2013
3,558
370
Mytown
Congrats. A classic Dunhill shape, a good looking blast. I'm guessing that's a repair band and the stem looks like a replacement, but if the stummel is in good condition and the stem is serviceable you'll have a nice pipe for a fair (at least at current market considerations) price. If you ever wanted to have a stem made that was closer to the original, with a replica white dot added, you could do so for about $20 plus shipping from any number of repair shops.
Well done, man.
-- Pat

 

newbroom

Lifer
Jul 11, 2014
6,087
6,394
Florida
I was not very concerned with the amount of my bid because I've never seen a genuine Dunhill go for anything less than a Cnote.

I may look for one of our resident refurbishers for an estimate. This could be one I'd like to keep for smoking and it could look a whole lot better than it does now.

I own a Dunhill! yipeee!

 

bentmike

Lifer
Jan 25, 2012
2,422
37
PAD Drove Me to Buy an Old Dunhill
Happens to the best of us sometimes! Congrats newbroom, now when you get it fixed up be sure to post up a picture of it and let us know how it smokes. Looks like it could clean up and be a beautiful pipe.

 

newbroom

Lifer
Jul 11, 2014
6,087
6,394
Florida
Here's another flea bay Dunhill I'm just watching for comparison sake. I did message the seller to ask if the name Dunhill appears anywhere on the pipe....and got an affirmative...though said to be 'light'...
http://tinyurl.com/kakuzbt

 

allan

Lifer
Dec 5, 2012
2,429
7
Bronx, NY
Despite all of the comments posted on the plus or minus of Dunhill's smoking qualities, owning at least one in your life is absolutely mandatory!
Congrats and I hope it smokes great for you.

 

andystewart

Lifer
Jan 21, 2014
3,973
3
Congratulations on a great snag, newbroom! I agree with others that it should shine up beautifully, although I think a pro restorer would bring the best out of it. Maybe at the same time you send it for a new stem?
Andy

 

newbroom

Lifer
Jul 11, 2014
6,087
6,394
Florida
I agree that a professional restoration would be this pipes best chance at redemption. I have no idea what something like that would end up costing in time and money.

I just love to see those good old pipes get reborn.
I just wish I could hook up with someone around Ocala who does restos. I'd love to get involved doing restos myself.
I think it could be one of those hobbies that breaks even or close and the fun of it alone is valuable.

 

newbroom

Lifer
Jul 11, 2014
6,087
6,394
Florida
Looks like you got a replacement stem on there too, but all in all, for $70, still a good find.

Well...I got it yesterday and you're very correct. The stem has been replaced and it doesn't really fill the mortise. I just found another like mine in more original shape. I also have the name of a Dunhill repair specialist in Vero Beach FL.
Here's the link to the comparable pipe.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1963-Dunhill-Shell-56-F-T-Bent-Billiard-Pipe-Clean-COOPERSARK-NO-RESERVE-/390915380139?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5b045f53ab

 

newbroom

Lifer
Jul 11, 2014
6,087
6,394
Florida
I just spoke to an older gentleman who lives about 3 hours south of me who can provide me a hand cut Dunhill replacement stem of my choice for $67.00 and shipping. He's the only American Dunhill stem guy. He sounded busy too. I liked his crotchety attitude immediately! He'll also be able to provide me with more information on this pipe's history.

 

spud

Starting to Get Obsessed
Apr 10, 2013
182
0
It will look much better with a new stem. The one thats on it doesn't do it justice.

 

newbroom

Lifer
Jul 11, 2014
6,087
6,394
Florida
I just got off the phone with Howard. I sent my pipe to him in the mail on Wed. He called a few minutes ago to say it's done!

He said it looked like mine was made in 1954, and he thought it was a very nice pipe.

I don't know what to expect.

I do know that I'm getting a Dunhill approved white dotted stem made for this pipe.

Whether or not he cleaned up the briar is my doubt. I care less. If he did, I'll be twice as happy.

 

newbroom

Lifer
Jul 11, 2014
6,087
6,394
Florida
papipeguy, I had already found Howard Shulte, coincidentally, in Vero Beach. I sent my pipe to him. I will eventually figure out a way to post pics....and show you my replacement stem and 1954 fully bent dunhill shellbriar.

I'm paying more for the work than I did for the pipe. Still a good investment, imho.

Why? Because that itch will now have been scratched. I own a nice Dunhill pipe.

 

voorhees

Lifer
May 30, 2012
3,834
937
Gonadistan
I have also been on the lookout for a birth year Dunhill. I have a 1926 Patent 120. However, like you I think buying tobacco is what I need to be doing and have quite a cellar going, but only buying pipes once in a while now. I have my eye on an reputable maker English pipe(estate/not a Dunhill) in a style I love. Hoping it will stay put a little longer.

 

newbroom

Lifer
Jul 11, 2014
6,087
6,394
Florida
Pruss,

I looked into this and found Howard Shulte to be the ONLY certified Dunhill repair guy in the US. He quoted me $67.00 for a white dotted stem cut to fit my strummel, with materials obtained directly, and when he called me today, he said the bill was $78.13.
I assume he did a clean and polish for me too. Even if I have to do that myself, or have someone else do it for me, I'm a happy guy.

 
Status
Not open for further replies.