This particular adventure started when I traded some pipe tobacco for a single pick of a recent antique store haul (about 14 pipes). This resulted in my first French pipe, and my second Algerian briar pipe. It's my go to 'beater pipe.' It's the top pipe in this picture:
The shape 184 is a small bent apple pipe. It was a house pipe, a basket pipe, from the fills. Very nice grain otherwise.
It also (not shown) has "France" stamped on the stem, which makes this a Chacom pipe.
The next pipe was another Chacom made pipe, again with no logo or maker's mark. I assume it's Chacom made, as Comoy used 'select straight grain' on their seconds. It has '184' (not shown) stamped on the other side.
If you look at the center of the flash on the bowl, you will see the sandpit that kept this pipe from being worthy of the Chacom badge. I was looking at a Comoy Blue Riband 184, then reluctantly came to the conclusion that this unbranded 'selected straight grain' was every bit the equal of the Riband, if not better (save for that wee sandpit).
Yet another 184, this one from GBD. Stamped GBD (in an oval) over 'New Era' over 'St. Claude.' 184 is stamped on it as well. Strange to see a French Comoy shape in GBD's lineup pre-merger. Also strange to see a sandblast on one of GBD's premier to better-than-average lines, depending on the year and ownership of the company, but always above the average pipes they made.
The British Kaywoodie also presents us with their stinger equipped version of the 184:
I do not own this one.
What gives? Is this a public domain type of pipe shape, where everyone agrees to use the same stummel shape and keep the number the same across continents and brands?
The shape 184 is a small bent apple pipe. It was a house pipe, a basket pipe, from the fills. Very nice grain otherwise.
It also (not shown) has "France" stamped on the stem, which makes this a Chacom pipe.
The next pipe was another Chacom made pipe, again with no logo or maker's mark. I assume it's Chacom made, as Comoy used 'select straight grain' on their seconds. It has '184' (not shown) stamped on the other side.
If you look at the center of the flash on the bowl, you will see the sandpit that kept this pipe from being worthy of the Chacom badge. I was looking at a Comoy Blue Riband 184, then reluctantly came to the conclusion that this unbranded 'selected straight grain' was every bit the equal of the Riband, if not better (save for that wee sandpit).
Yet another 184, this one from GBD. Stamped GBD (in an oval) over 'New Era' over 'St. Claude.' 184 is stamped on it as well. Strange to see a French Comoy shape in GBD's lineup pre-merger. Also strange to see a sandblast on one of GBD's premier to better-than-average lines, depending on the year and ownership of the company, but always above the average pipes they made.
The British Kaywoodie also presents us with their stinger equipped version of the 184:
I do not own this one.
What gives? Is this a public domain type of pipe shape, where everyone agrees to use the same stummel shape and keep the number the same across continents and brands?
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