Most of you know that I'm a Sasieni fan and in particular the Ashford (#88) shape. I have that model in five finishes, including an unsmoked Natural (that gets smoked in December, for the birth of my first grandchild).
But, I've never owned an 8 Dot or even a Patent era Sasieni. Mine are all Four Dot pipes, made after 1946 when the nomenclature changed.
I took a big gulp and bid on this incorrectly listed pipe that was in reality an 8-Dot,Patent era Ashford. There appeared to be a fissure on the shank and someone asked the seller if there were any cracks. He answered "no", so I took the gamble.
The pipe arrived and it was indeed a Patent era pipe. The patent number was stamped on the underside of the stem and just legible. Amazingly, it also had the screw-in stinger. The bowl and stem were in fantastic condition. The stem had only the lightest of teeth abrasions and 8, beautiful blue dots in the old style pattern. But, there was indeed a crack on the right side that ran all the way through.
I was at first hopeful that perhaps a slim ring could be made and of course checked with George D. He advised that only a wide band, to cover the entire crack would work and of course that would have been hideous and ruined the excellent nomenclature block. So, I reluctantly sent it back. The seller was a gentleman and I was quickly given a full refund
What a shame....it's doubtful I'll ever encounter an Ashford with these specs again.
But, I've never owned an 8 Dot or even a Patent era Sasieni. Mine are all Four Dot pipes, made after 1946 when the nomenclature changed.
I took a big gulp and bid on this incorrectly listed pipe that was in reality an 8-Dot,Patent era Ashford. There appeared to be a fissure on the shank and someone asked the seller if there were any cracks. He answered "no", so I took the gamble.
The pipe arrived and it was indeed a Patent era pipe. The patent number was stamped on the underside of the stem and just legible. Amazingly, it also had the screw-in stinger. The bowl and stem were in fantastic condition. The stem had only the lightest of teeth abrasions and 8, beautiful blue dots in the old style pattern. But, there was indeed a crack on the right side that ran all the way through.
I was at first hopeful that perhaps a slim ring could be made and of course checked with George D. He advised that only a wide band, to cover the entire crack would work and of course that would have been hideous and ruined the excellent nomenclature block. So, I reluctantly sent it back. The seller was a gentleman and I was quickly given a full refund
What a shame....it's doubtful I'll ever encounter an Ashford with these specs again.
