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Briar Lee

Lifer
Sep 4, 2021
4,960
14,362
Humansville Missouri
It’s been mentioned that later Briarlees were made in Italy. Came across this nice little billiard. Nothing special—decent grain, a little birdseye. Well shaped and drilled, and with one of the common Lee stingers, it’s a good little choocher. Just figured I’d share one of the non-American ones.
View attachment 196359
View attachment 196360View attachment 196361
View attachment 196363

This is a Post Lee Briarlee.

A9C9972A-7281-41A0-9254-91ACBAB7B4B2.jpeg

I have to ask.

Does it have a sweet taste breaking in?

That is the proper shade of tan, the right Briarlee type screw stem, same stamps, but made in Italy.

Ever see an Italian Star Grade?

I have not.
 

didimauw

Moderator
Staff member
Jul 28, 2013
10,731
37,748
SE WI
Now compare it to this very nice three star grade made for the European Market. Or at least found in Europe.View attachment 193059View attachment 193060View attachment 193061

It's nice, but not near as nice as the Bullmoose. Sometimes, the finish on a Lee is just perfect. I wish @Briar Lee would cease from sanding off the lacquer finishes. Future generations will not be happy with him.
That is a pipe with lacquer I'd be proud of! That's how it's supposed to be done!
 

Parsimonious Piper

Can't Leave
Oct 12, 2019
340
978
This is a Post Lee Briarlee.

I have to ask.

Does it have a sweet taste breaking in?

That is the proper shade of tan, the right Briarlee type screw stem, same stamps, but made in Italy.

Ever see an Italian Star Grade?

I have not.
I don’t know about sweet since the only blend I’ve smoked in it is my home blend with 50% Dark Fired Kentucky…smokes kinda barbecue-ey🤣

Haven’t seen any stamped Lee and Italy.
 

Briar Lee

Lifer
Sep 4, 2021
4,960
14,362
Humansville Missouri
I just bought what should be a twin of this carved Lee Three Star 5 pointed inlaid gold star slim billiard.

I think these were made of Algerian briar.

If not, they are still very Marxmanish.:)

The big difference is a Lee is much better shaped and finished out than the typical Marxman.

70F96697-F559-4A4D-9376-F58BC9372573.jpeg88B36166-4D2E-459C-8240-C100A34E3163.jpeg96F1CE17-8875-490A-BAA6-47D2EBE0C11C.jpeg
 
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Briar Lee

Lifer
Sep 4, 2021
4,960
14,362
Humansville Missouri
When this one gets in, I hope can examine it and see if the carving was hand done or machine cut.

The vast majority of Lee pipes I own are smooth. Some are carved or rusticated. None are blasted.

A9715621-6A27-481C-BBF8-9AB3946CC675.jpeg
 
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Briar Lee

Lifer
Sep 4, 2021
4,960
14,362
Humansville Missouri
I scored another Three Star 7 pointed star Pot for $23 delivered in a competitive auction on eBay.

For a Lee, this one was heavily smoked, but should be refreshed in ten minutes. Look at the button. A $23 pipe isn’t worth a new stem, and it shows how long it was smoked. The 7 point stars are only tarnished and will shine like new in no time.

Look at the typical extremely tight, but not flashy grain.

914C77CA-7860-4C46-A21A-14F6F95A07F9.jpegC97099BB-57B5-4F59-9DBD-1740EEF7D3E0.jpeg
 

telescopes

Pipe Dreamer and Star Gazer
I think it is unfair to say that this pipe will be refinished in 10 minutes. It has some issues both inside and out. However, if the pipe is destined for this...665A3EA5-6BB0-41C3-BBE4-5A3F6D97018D.jpegthen it doesn't really matter. Restoring an estate to the condition it was in when purchased is something I think is a lot of fun. But to simply clean them and toss them, seems a bit of a crime. These pipes need-an attorney.

You have the right to be properly cleaned and sanitized;

You have the right to be properly stored;

You have the right to be smoked and maintained in such a manner that you value will not be diminished.

If such a thing as war crimes exist For pipes, that's a Nuremberg bowl of suffering.
 

didimauw

Moderator
Staff member
Jul 28, 2013
10,731
37,748
SE WI
I think it is unfair to say that this pipe will be refinished in 10 minutes. It has some issues both inside and out. However, if the pipe is destined for this...View attachment 198257then it doesn't really matter. Restoring an estate to the condition it was in when purchased is something I think is a lot of fun. But to simply clean them and toss them, seems a bit of a crime. These pipes need-an attorney.

You have the right to be properly cleaned and sanitized;

You have the right to be properly stored;

You have the right to be smoked and maintained in such a manner that you value will not be diminished.

If such a thing as war crimes exist For pipes, that's a Nuremberg bowl of suffering.
Nothing a scrub with 0000 steel wool won't take care of! 😂
 

Briar Lee

Lifer
Sep 4, 2021
4,960
14,362
Humansville Missouri
Why do you keep them in a tub?
When I need one they are easy to grab.;)

1386CEA1-044F-445A-BAAF-37B228E2D900.jpeg

There are no junkers in that tub, all of them are clean, oiled with grapeseed oil and buffed, and as much as I smoke they’ll all get used fairly regularly.

Plus I have another closed container with at least that many more, plus about 75 perfect Lees at the office, pipes in all three vehicles, at the farm, and I just paid $17.50 delivered for another one.

B530D059-AA8C-42B2-87F7-2832A178255B.jpegAC8FB956-552E-44AF-B717-369DA75A9192.jpeg


Who the hell was K.F.S.?

Another mystery to solve, and a pipe to clean up.

I’m trying to quit, but it’s too much fun.:)
 
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didimauw

Moderator
Staff member
Jul 28, 2013
10,731
37,748
SE WI
When I need one they are easy to grab.;)

View attachment 198354

There are no junkers in that tub, all of them are clean, oiled with grapeseed oil and buffed, and as much as I smoke they’ll all get used fairly regularly.

Plus I have another closed container with at least that many more, plus about 75 perfect Lees at the office, pipes in all three vehicles, at the farm, and I just paid $17.50 delivered for another one.

View attachment 198356View attachment 198357


Who the hell was K.F.S.?

Another mystery to solve, and a pipe to clean up.

I’m trying to quit, but it’s too much fun.:)
I find that hard to believe that keeping them in a pile is easier to grab one than on a rack! What if the one you want is on the bottom?!?!?

And yes at the prices you buy them at, why not keep going?
 

Briar Lee

Lifer
Sep 4, 2021
4,960
14,362
Humansville Missouri
I find that hard to believe that keeping them in a pile is easier to grab one than on a rack! What if the one you want is on the bottom?!?!?

And yes at the prices you buy them at, why not keep going?

At my office I have 62 inlaid gold star Lees out in beautiful walnut racks.

That tub is in my garage as nightly smokers.

I’ve smoked a half dozen of them already today.
 

Parsimonious Piper

Can't Leave
Oct 12, 2019
340
978
When this one gets in, I hope can examine it and see if the carving was hand done or machine cut.

The vast majority of Lee pipes I own are smooth. Some are carved or rusticated. None are blasted.
Those two are rather similar. I’d love to see them side-by-side. I have a 1-star Bulldog with somewhat similar diagonal carving rather than their more common vertical striations. Nice!
 
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Parsimonious Piper

Can't Leave
Oct 12, 2019
340
978
I scored another Three Star 7 pointed star Pot for $23 delivered in a competitive auction on eBay.

For a Lee, this one was heavily smoked, but should be refreshed in ten minutes. Look at the button. A $23 pipe isn’t worth a new stem, and it shows how long it was smoked. The 7 point stars are only tarnished and will shine like new in no time.

Look at the typical extremely tight, but not flashy grain.
That’ll be another solid smoker.
 
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Reactions: Briar Lee