Refurbished an Antique Meer to Smoke

[Brig]

Just picked up this nose warmer from 1914 and my intent is to smoke it, as I am particularly fond of short pipes.

Breathes fine but a pipe cleaner won't run straight through the bowl, assuming it may be unaligned in the tenon over years. Stem twists a bit canted but I can tighten that up with dental floss. Minimal chatter on the mouthpiece.

Bowl has a pretty good cake buildup inside, guessing it wasn't wiped out too often by the original owner. I've read conflicting posts on what to use to clean these out...seems alcohol should be avoided? What is the best way to clean out these antique meer bowls?

Also thinking of waxing the bowl, since as a nose warmer it'll be pretty easy to avoid touching. Thoughts?

 

[Chasing Embers]

a pipe cleaner won't run straight through the bowl, assuming it may be unaligned in the tenon over years.

Probably more to do with the severity of the bend.

seems alcohol should be avoided?

Nope, but I'd avoid it on the stem.

Using Alcohol and Cotton Balls on Meerschaum :: Pipe Repair and Maintenance

To prevent polluting another thread with progress reports I'll start this one. Too much hearsay turns into the gospel and phobias among pipe smokers. In another thread a while back it was stated as fact that wiping a meerschaum down with alcohol would damage it. I did it to one and it neither...

pipesmagazine.com

What is the best way to clean out these antique meer bowls?

Sandpaper

Also thinking of waxing the bowl,

Wax is mainly applied to prevent scratches on the soft material. It looks like it could use a good wipe down with a damp cloth though.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Something about it makes me think it's made of African meerschaum.

 

[xrundog]

Something about it makes me think it's made of African meerschaum.

Nah, those are Turkish. That’s going to be a pierced style airway. It runs through the shank to a spot under the bowl. Then a hole is pierced down to meet it. So it’s a fairly sharp angle. Don’t know why they did them like that.
As you clean the shank, you’ll push tar to the bottom. Use an unwound paper clip to dig it out from the bowl. Alcohol is okay on the airway. Let cleaners soak in there to absorb tar. Just wipe down the exterior with a damp rag. Alcohol in the stem airway should be okay. The amber stems take stem polish really well.
Scrape out what cake you can and then sand it with a medium grit.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Nah, those are Turkish

The texture of the material and the near lack of color in a pipe that appears heavily smoked makes me wonder.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Alcohol in the stem airway should be okay.

If it's an amber or Redmanol stem, alcohol could cause damage.

 

[xrundog]

If it's an amber or Redmanol stem, alcohol could cause damage.

If you soak it in alcohol sure. Swabbing out the airway won’t hirt.

I think all the early American branded pipes are Turkish. But some of those pipes seem harder than what we see today. But not as heavy as say, the Manx or some of the Vienna African pipes. I think the 19th century guys were less picky about the grade of rock they used.

 

[OzPiper]

That’s going to be a pierced style airway. It runs through the shank to a spot under the bowl. Then a hole is pierced down to meet it.

@xrundog,
Thank you. I have a couple of pipes drilled like that.

 

[Brig]

Thanks all.

The case is marked "Finest R&S Meerschaum", if anyone knows what maker that is.

There are some scratches/shavings on the bottom. I've read some posts here that suggest the waxing is needed to help color the meer?

Hadn't thought of using a paper clip, was thinking about dental picks.

 

[xrundog]

I use dental picks too. A paper clip is nice because you can bend it to get in odd spots or push out obstructions a cleaner can’t handle.

 

[Brig]

I just bought an estate collection of 150-200 pipes, mostly smoked, so will likely have all sorts of cleaning questions in the future. I don't think any are particularly old or heavily smoked, but figured I could get a few to keep and piece out the rest to make up the costs. Assuming that cleaning them first makes them more appealing.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I've read some posts here that suggest the waxing is needed to help color the meer?

Not at all. That sort of coloring fades after a few smokes.

Swabbing out the airway won’t hirt.

I destroyed one like that, that's why I mentioned it. I only use warm soapy water on them now.

 

[xrundog]

Maybe it was celluloid. It looks like amber or amberloid. But it’s an early formula with camphor. Alcohol eats it fast.

 

[condorlover1]

@xrundog : Yep!

 

[Chasing Embers]

Maybe it was celluloid. It looks like amber or amberloid. But it’s an early formula with camphor. Alcohol eats it fast.

Actually had it appraised and I can tell the difference.

 

[Chasing Embers]

@xrundog : Yep!

In that case, no. It was nearly transparent amber much like this one.

 

[xrundog]

In that case, no. It was nearly transparent amber much like this one.
View attachment 379129

I have a decent understanding of American branded pipes. That tenon looks more European to me. That’s another set of materials I have limited experience with.
The later stuff is good Bakelite. But the 19th and early 20th century stuff can be…odd.

 

[didimauw]

I'm just here for the clean up pics.

 

[xrundog]

I'm just here for the clean up pics.

That’s what we’re all waiting for.

 

[condorlover1]

The only thing I know about amber beyond all the usual postings is that when you drill out old amber pieces from a pipe you get the smell of eucalyptus for some reason!