Show Off Your WDC Pipes
- Thread starter Briar Lee
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Very early, the smallest Wellingtons only cost a quarter. There’s one listed in the 1908 Sears catalog.
Even allowing for inflation, a quarter in 1913 would be $7.39 today, and the quarter was retail in a shop.
The Wellington was the most popular pipe on earth, and the largest seller, until everybody got their Wellington, maybe a Wellington in all five sizes.
They are a a fascinating part of the history of briar pipes.
Mission Briar/Manzanita pipes were not stamped with anything other than the brand and line/grade. WDC’s stamped “Real Briar” are real briar.I see those white letters on other WDC pipes.
Here’s a cheapie on eBay that says Real Briar.
View attachment 196422View attachment 196424
In a way, mission briar from California was Real Briar.
Just not imported real briar?.
Yes they are. Unfortunately the Ebay auction I bought this off of the seller soaked it in bleach to clean it and no amount of coffee, alcohol, salt treatments, or Captain Black Cherry has gotten it out. It probably needs to be sanded and redone. Sad what people do to history. I've decided to keep it as is.
Here is my WDC Wellington fresh from Briarville. This was in rough shape but now brand new.
The last picture is a Westminster Wellbore. Now there isn’t much info about Westminster but I believe this is a WDC Wellington clone. I got it NOS, and cleaned it up some. Still some oxidation, but it adds character
The last picture is a Westminster Wellbore. Now there isn’t much info about Westminster but I believe this is a WDC Wellington clone. I got it NOS, and cleaned it up some. Still some oxidation, but it adds character
Most of the WDC pipes have “fake” P-Lips, except for the very early ones. “Fake”, meaning that the airway comes directly out the front of the bit, it does not angle up like a real P-Lip. They smoke more like a fishtail or old fashioned “button” type bit. So, if the smoke path being directed to your pallet is the issue, don’t worry. If the “phalic” shape is your issue…oh well.
An unsmoked Wellington in the less common Dutch Billiard shape with a tapered stem. Don’t see too many of these. 
A very large Wellington I made a Pete style Deluxe System John Bull stem for
A very large Wellington I made a Pete style Deluxe System John Bull stem for
A couple more WDCs. The bent is a very early 1900’s Durobit PATAPPLD’FOR. The Dublin is an unsmoked Morroco.
An unsmoked WDC Stratford with a silver band. This their second highest grade right below the Handmade at the time this was made, sometime in the teens. It really reminds me of a BBB, like a tiny Dreadnought.
[For posterity] Here is what is likely the coolest stinger/condenser I have ever seen. I couldn't believe my eyes when I first saw it. A similar pipe is listed on Pipedia but it doesn't give detail regarding the stinger.
This is a WDC "Yo-Ho .. A Flavor of Rum" and I know that it was sold in 1934 as this ad in Vanity Fair indicates (below). Apparently you were meant to add rum-soaked pellets to the inside of the stinger, that's shaped like a bottle of rum! (It reads: "XXX | RUM | 1850").
Overall the pipe is very attractive, a Dublin shape with a beautiful dark blast, and a wonderful piece of American pipe history!
This is a WDC "Yo-Ho .. A Flavor of Rum" and I know that it was sold in 1934 as this ad in Vanity Fair indicates (below). Apparently you were meant to add rum-soaked pellets to the inside of the stinger, that's shaped like a bottle of rum! (It reads: "XXX | RUM | 1850").
Overall the pipe is very attractive, a Dublin shape with a beautiful dark blast, and a wonderful piece of American pipe history!
I have this little Dublin. The silver band is definitely a repair job, but it smokes great if I'm in the mood for a short smoke.
I've only become acquainted with WDC pipes within the past year. So far, I've had nothing but great experiences and rewarding restorations. Here are my three:
@RustiePyles CPG
I don’t “collect” American pipes (it’s a rather large rabbit warren to get lost in
)But THIS I’d happily add to my kennel of bulldogs
Just beautiful
