Paul Fischer Meerschaum Pipes

[kane]

Hello, here are two Paul Fischer pipes that I would like to share with the forum. I have wondered about the authenticity of one of these pipes, and I am hoping that people who are familiar with Paul Fischer pipes may be able to weigh in. Also to add to any collective knowledge on these pipes that may be useful to have.

The pipe on the left I have had for a while, and I enjoyed smoking it until the nylon sleeve type of tenor broke on it.
The pipe on the right I have just acquired. It is in unsmoked condition. It has a hard threaded screw type of tenon with a pretty small airway. I am guessing that the screw tenon is made of bone as I have read that Paul Fischer always used bone tenons.
The stems seem to be made of similar hard plastic. The stem on the pipe that has been smoked is more opaque, but I’m not sure that if that’s from different plastic or from being smoked.

I have not been able to find much information on Paul Fischer meerschaum pipes, but I recall reading somewhere, long ago, that Paul Fischer only used bone screw type tenons, and also that there were forgeries of Paul Fischer pipes. They fact that the pipe pictured on the left has a nylon sleeve tenon has made me wonder if it’s a real Paul Fischer or a forgery, although the pipe was a previously smoked estate pipe when I got it, so I suppose it could have had the tenon replaced at some point.
Neither of these pipes has any markings or stampings on them, which I believe was normal for Paul Fischer meerschaum pipes, and the cases are a rectangular jewel box type, rather than a form fitting case.
Both pipes are an egg shape, but the cant of the bowl is different between them. Both pipes pass the moist finger block meerschaum test. The smoked pipe was a great smoker before the tenon failed.

If any of you are familiar with Paul Fischer meerschaums and has an opinion as to the authenticity of the pipe with the nylon tenon, or either pipe, I would love to know more.

Also, if you can recommend a good pipe repair service that works on meerschaums and can replace the tenon that would be great to know.
Thank you!

 

[VDL_Piper]

These should work, just swap out the broken ones.

Standard Universal Meerschaum Pipe Fittings 3 Tenon - Mortise Set

Universal Meerschaum Pipe Fitting brought to you from Meerschaummarket.com. One of the most wonderful pipe fittings at meerschaummarket.com.

www.meerschaummarket.com

 

[kane]

That’s cool, thanks! Is it difficult to take the old one out?

 

[VDL_Piper]

That’s cool, thanks! Is it difficult to take the old one out?

Anti clockwise and gently. Pipes don’t look over smoked so I don’t think you will have much tar etc built up.

 

[kane]

Thank you! Much appreciated

 

[Waning Embers]

Is it difficult to take the old one out?

For this one, insert a pointed knife blade in until it bites into the nylon and turn counterclockwise.


This one needs no repair. Twist the stem clockwise while pulling it off of the pipe. Looks like you've been turning the stem counterclockwise and removing the stem from the tenon.


Looks like this.

 

[kane]

Thanks very much for that advice. The pictures you posted make sense and are helpful. Thank you. However, on the unsmoked pipe, it feels like the threaded tenon that extrudes from the shank is glued into the shank. Turning the stem clockwise cranks the stem against the shank, but there is no movement or sliding when pulling it out. The tenon is hard and feels brittle and I’m afraid to force it. I am guessing that it’s more like a bone screw set into the shank. Does this sound familiar to the way Paul Fischer pipes or some meerschaum pipes were made? Hope that makes sense.
I think I understand what you are describing and showing with the pic of the pipe with the fresh replacement tenon. But if you look at the shank end of the pipe, you can see that there is no sleeve for the tenon to slide in and out of. It’s just a threaded hard tenon screw that is set into the shank:

 

[kane]

Any other Paul Fischer pipes out there to confirm the tenon setup?

 

[Waning Embers]

Permanent tenon then. I've got some Turkish briars made that way.

 

[kane]

Permanent tenon then. I've got some Turkish briars made that way.

Hmmm…Turkish briars. Interesting.

 

[jerry]

Fischer meers are generally desired. I had a few and they were excellent smokers.

 

[jonasclark]

I've heard of (and seen) counterfeit Gustave Fischer pipes (Sr. & Jr. of New York) These, which were much older and by people unrelated to Paul Fischer of Boston, have had fakes made. Ben Rapaport wrote about pipes with a fancy pot metal shank connection and engraving saying they were carved by Paul Fisher Sr. (note spelling) for the Vienna Exhibition (engraving in English).

I don't know if Paul always used bone tenons, but that's what that looks like, and can safely be left where it is. As others noted, the plastic tenon can be replaced and you can go right back to smoking it. Those stems are definitely plastic. I've only ever seen plain Paul Fischer meers, but Gustave Fischer pipes are often ornate.