Great! Thanks. I was waiting for you to weigh in. I have my answer!Most likely a distribution number of some kind.
"Extraneous" stamps are not common with Dunhills, but they aren't rare, either. The ones that have been tracked down over the years usually boil down to being part of a lot or shipment for a particular wholesaler.
I’ve always wanted a shell like this. The older and newer shells are markedly different. I wonder what it is exactly. I’m guessing it’s many things but the older ones are very craggy. The post-1950 ones become more and more fine and precise. I almost think the word “shell” doesn’t quite describe the latter as much as the earlier pipes.Nice craggy finish on that one! Really attractive.