Show Off Your Charatans Here!
- Thread starter ssjones
- Start date
Well, I certainly see the difference. Your stem is much more aesthetically pleasing than the original. I have to wonder, given the value and rarity of the pipe, why it was originally made with that sharp elbow. To you think it possible that a previous owner attempted to change the bend and heated it but botched the effort??
That sharp stem elbow seems to be a Charatan characteristic during certain eras
The crappy original stem is 90% because the pipe is quite large.
There is a BIG increase in difficulty when stems are oversized.
Charatan's solution to the problem? Tell the line workers to do it in the same amount of time as smaller ones, or else... a.k.a Find A Way
The way they found was what you see... cut a duck-bill straight taper, then heat in one spot and flop it over.
Here is another example:
There is a BIG increase in difficulty when stems are oversized.
Charatan's solution to the problem? Tell the line workers to do it in the same amount of time as smaller ones, or else... a.k.a Find A Way
The way they found was what you see... cut a duck-bill straight taper, then heat in one spot and flop it over.
Here is another example:
That's what I was going to say. Sometimes it looks so odd, a beautiful pipe and a crazy bend. Almost like the apprentice bent the mouthpiece and not the pipe maker
Well, I am just gobsmacked by this...........
It looks like an amateur bent it too far.
I mean, if you got a stem like this in a drugstore pipe, you'd just say, "Oh well...." But these Coronations are like the grail.
Well, at least the owner still retains the original stem should he go to sell it and the buyer wants it all original.
The main reason that most English pipe companies didn't make stems that matched their stummels quality-wise is because of an overall attitude thing... that stems were like soles on shoes, or tires on a car. They were merely a component that would wear out and be replaced as needed. To them, the stummel was the pipe, and its stem just a "drinking straw" to access it.
That that attitude extended to their super-rare top-range pieces is equal parts sad and funny.
(There were definitely exceptions early on, though. The two most amazing stems I've ever seen in my life are on English-made giants. Both antiques. One is a late 1800's Barling that belongs to Jesse Silver, and the other is an early 1930's Sasieni of mine. Top quality material, breathtaking execution.)
George, (and others who commented) thanks for taking the time to explain it better.
Guess I learned something this evening............
It’s a characteristic of many English pipe makers, not just Charatan, but also Barling, Sasieni, BBB, and Dunhill.
I’m amazed by the replication of the makers marks you are able to produce. Do you have dies for those? Fantastic work.
Such a shame that the stems are a letdown
I posted this Civic bent billiard recently - not a brand you would put in the upper echelons of old Britwoods, but the stem work is exemplary
Civics were very fine pipes. They're just not as well remembered these days. I do have an old Civic catalog somewheres.
That group 4 is a good reference (and gorgeous). I would've thought it was a group 3 or smaller if I wasn't told the size of the pipes in the photo.
Her is my collection so far. Got one more on the way. I will introduce them proberly when I've cleaned them up and smoked them. Thank for looking/Jan
I just picked up this Charatan Trafalgar 333 from a guy off of Craigslist. He found it while cleaning out one of his old storage containers. Never been smoked, complete with bag & box. I won’t even say how much I paid for it.
I know this is from Charatan’s dark (French) days, but it’s still a beautiful piece.
I’d love to learn anything you might know about it!
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I know this is from Charatan’s dark (French) days, but it’s still a beautiful piece.
I’d love to learn anything you might know about it!
View attachment 402106View attachment 402111View attachment 402108View attachment 402109
Thanks for the photos.
It's a beautiful color and pipe.
I am not knowledgeable enough to provide history on this, but I'm sure others will.