The pit in question will more than likely never cause you a moment's headache.I think it's lowly of them to show generic images,however.Here's one for you........Late 90's or maybe 2000 (it gets foggy)........Peterson introduces a freehand with plateau top that some may remember.Guess who pulled the trigger?Well,the pipe I received had a small fill in it.I smoked it anyway,and it smoked well.Sold it a few years later.Niether the pit,nor the putty that filled it ever gave me a problem,never burnt through.Just a surface pit,I'm sure.If I see it back on the sponsor's website under estates,I may even buy it back.The final decision is your's.Happy smoking.