Should I Make This GBD ‘Unsmoked’?...

[Ahi Ka]

In the spirit of procrastination, I have been working on a few estate pipes this morning instead of writing.

Currently, I have been cleaning up this GBD Prehistoric model 368/614L. I quite like it, reminds me of something my great grandad used to smoke. It has a killer sandblast, is a sitter and is meer lined...at for now.

Unfortunately, some damage had been done to the meerschaum lining, so I’m looking for advice on what to do?

Keep it as is as part of the story, or rip the rest of the lining out and essentially have an unsmoked briar pipe? A bit sacrilegious I know, but curious to know if anyone has done this...

Either way I’ll be keeping this one as a smoker, so don’t worry about any dodgy eBay listings.

On another note, I have attached a pic of the stinger in case anyone can use this to help more specifically date the pipe.

Chur

 

[F4RM3R]

I'd leave it as is. You can always rip it out later if you want. At least give it a shot.

Plus maybe the meer is covering a flaw in the briar underneath.

 

[Parsimonious Piper]

Seem to recall a couple articles on rebornpipes.com regarding repair of Meer-lined pipes.

 

[BROBS]

Take it out. It will smoke like a brand new pipe. ?

 

[Ahi Ka]

Take it out. It will smoke like a brand new pipe. ?

I somehow knew you were going to suggest this haha

 

[didimauw]

If it were me, I'd take it out too. Just seems wrong to leave it in broken like that.

 

[mso489]

Tough call. I think I'd leave it in for starters, only because the bowl wall without the liner is pretty thin, and would accommodate a significant ember (hot) when the meer is pulled. Also, if the breakage is just at the top as shown, I think the briar would hold up okay, as the top of the ember and the top tobacco burns and cools first. If there is any cracking of the meer that reaches further down, that is a consideration. See how it smokes for a while. It may smoke fine as it is.

 

[Pierre1965]

I'd remove it. It's damaged enough that smoking it as is will probably allow moisture and crud to find their way behind the remaining meer. If there's some damage under it you can always put some pipe mud in. Sweet looking pipe though.

 

[BROBS]

I mean.. I wouldn't even consider the option of leaving it in... but that's just me.

 

[Ahi Ka]

If it’s any consideration, the meer goes the whole way to the bottom of the bowl instead of just stopping before the draft hole. I’m assuming this means it is a cup insert rather than just a wall lining.

 

[jpmcwjr]

I'd leave it in and dye the white with Fiebigs. Possibly pipe mud the area where the meer is no more.

There's no danger of moisture with it in- or out.

 

[jhowell]

Seem to recall a couple articles on rebornpipes.com regarding repair of Meer-lined pipes.

Exactly. Use plaster of paris to replace the missing part of the meer liner

 

[Ahi Ka]

Ok I am keen to try replacing the broken part of the lining then. Will have a closer inspection to see if the meer is broken further down into bowl too....so which way should we go folks? Pipe mud or plaster of Paris?

 

[jpmcwjr]

I'd be inclined to try the Plaster of Paris first,

Did you top the pipe? Or sand it? That rim is awfully clean for a pipe that's been used.

 

[Ahi Ka]

I'd be inclined to try the Plaster of Paris first,

Did you top the pipe? Or sand it? That rim is awfully clean for a pipe that's been used.

Sounds good, will give that a go.

I gave it a fine sand to remove the gunk and reference the buffed rims that some of these GBDs have. Normally I just like the contrast of the briar against the black finish, but I was excited to see nice grain on the rim.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Nice job! Was the meerschaum that white when you got it?

In any event, you're on the way to a fine restoration. Enjoy!

 

[Ahi Ka]

Nice job! Was the meerschaum that white when you got it?

In any event, you're on the way to a fine restoration. Enjoy!

Nah it was covered in heavy cake. I wasn’t too sure whether it was meer lined or not, so gently cleaned back and lightly polished the top to check. It was only after doing this that I was able to see the extent of the damage to the lining as it was originally all held in place by the cake. After seeing bits just falling out, I committed to going back to white just to be able to see what was going on easier and then brainstorm for moving forward. (Hope this was the right call)

man I was gutted to see that the lining was damaged, but also secretly excited to try more than just a clean.

 

[jpmcwjr]

I predict you'll soon have a favorite smoker!

 

[Ahi Ka]

Ready for the trial by fire...

 

[jhowell]

Nice job on the repair!