Set of British "Partner" Pipes...

[craig61a]

I came across this set of British "Partner" pipes at the Danish Pipe Shop. They look like a reasonably well made set of pipes. The description mentions that they are a "very rare" set. I suppose someone in the know would conclude that Partner did not make many "sets" of pipes.

I haven't been able to turn much on Partner. Probably some small obscure maker. But for the price they offered them at I figured why not. I'm guessing that these are somewhere in the neighborhood of late 40's early 50's...?

 

[craig61a]

I'm guessing that these are somewhere in the neighborhood of late 40's early 50's...?

Or possibly earlier judging by the style of the clasp on the box...

 

[craig61a]

Came across this tidbit on the SP website for an Estate Partner...

Partner is mentioned as a brand of F.W. Cole. I do not know who or what F.W. Cole is, or, possibly, was. I did however turn up a listing for a silver mark (presumable for pipe bands and mounts) dating back to 1912 and used by Francis Wride Cole, London tobacconist.

 

[BROBS]

I came across this set of British "Partner" pipes at the Danish Pipe Shop. They look like a reasonably well made set of pipes. The description mentions that they are a "very rare" set. I suppose someone in the know would conclude that Partner did not make many "sets" of pipes.

I haven't been able to turn much on Partner. Probably some small obscure maker. But for the price they offered them at I figured why not. I'm guessing that these are somewhere in the neighborhood of late 40's early 50's...?

View attachment 61679

What do the stampings on the pipe say/look like?

 

[craig61a]

What do the stampings on the pipe say/look like?

Minimal from what pics I have...

 

[BROBS]

Minimal from what pics I have...

I think that will help to see them up close.. might tell more of the story?
like if they are British the stamping style of the COM should give a clue, etc

 

[jensen]

Partner pipes were a well known brand here in Danmark in the sixties, you could get them in every town. I do not know where they were made.

 

[ssjones]

Who Made That Pipe does list them for F.W. Cole and country of manufacture, England. Do post additional nomenclature pictures when you receive the set.

 

[jensen]

Thinking it over I believe that Craigs pipes are made by the Danish pipeco Albing & Märtens. A firm brought by Erik Nørding in the seventies. But of course, I do not know for sure. As I said, they were all over the country but I never got one as so far I remember they were not stamped with " England " and a good pipe should be an English one those days.

 

[saltedplug]

Looks like you made a great purchase!

 

[craig61a]

Aside from “Partner” in script stamped on the shank, I can make out “Special” and “103” on the straight billiard, “de Luxe”, “Fine Briar” and “107” on the bent billiard. A portion of the stampings have been scrubbed.

Since they were listed on Danish Pipe’s English Estates page, and noted to be very rare, I’ll go with their provenance. They’ve probably handled and evaluated more pipes in the last week than I have in the past 30 years.

I’m guessing that these were an offering from some sort of department or general merchandise store that private labeled the set through an agent for a major English pipe maker back in the day. Fairly common practice. Economy of scale when your running a large factory.

The insert that holds the pipes in the case is hardboard that has been glued together, rather than a molded piece of styrene or other type of plastic.

All this would lead me to speculate that they were probably made in England prior to WWII.

 

[ssjones]

Your theory makes sense.

 

[jguss]

I’ve seen several guesses online about the origin of Partner pipes. Why not contact the seller and ask them what they know about the brand, including why they think (or know) the set was made in England?