Pipe advice

[fnord]

Folks:
I travel a lot and always scout out flea markets and antique shops. Today I ran across a handsome and massive Ben Wade Ambassador Deluxe made in Denmark. The stem is missing and the pipe has been lightly smoked. The seller wants 27 bucks and I don't know how good a value that is when I have to go shopping for a stem.
Any thoughts?
Jim

 

[nsfisher]

hard to say, depends on what price range it was in new, i see many ben wades new for 60-80 bucks and some r more of course. 27.00 + 15.00 + hassel = ???????. maybe its a mid range to top of the line model, sure its worth it then. Or if it caught ur attention and called out to u then also yes.

 

[ssjones]

Offer $10 for a pipe with no stem, than walk if not accepted. Flea markets are usually smart enough to know it will never move as is, "antique shops" less realistic, my experience.

 

[fnord]

Thanks for the good advice. After reading your comments and then doing some research on Pipedia and eBay, this burner is probably a keeper. Preben Holm owned the Danish made company during the 70's and 80's and that's pretty cool in and of itself.

 

[puffy]

If you allow 15 to 20 dollars for a stem that's still a decent buy.My guess is that they don't have much in the pipe.You might try offering them less that the asking price.You don't have anything to lose by doing so.

 

[nsfisher]

ya if its a keeper id offer 15.00 . vender will prob say 20.00- 22.00 u should then git it for 20.00.