Very early, the smallest Wellingtons only cost a quarter. There’s one listed in the 1908 Sears catalog.Vintage Baby Wellington.
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It is.A partially rusticated hesson guard Milano, which I believe is also a manzanita pipe.
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It’s real and it was done on all the manzanita pipes.Not sure. It feels original since it’s stamped/recessed into the wood, but also seems a bit too vibrant for such an old pipe.
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.
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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.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.
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.Did the Wellingtons all have the P-lip? They're a compelling pipe -- would be fun to add one -- but if they're all P-lip I'll pass.
(Regardless, the WDCs posted so far are "purty"!)
Did the Wellingtons all have the P-lip? They're a compelling pipe -- would be fun to add one -- but if they're all P-lip I'll pass.
(Regardless, the WDCs posted so far are "purty"!)
@RustiePyles CPGAn 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.
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Gotta love swan necks, and that grain is the finest I've seen on WDC pipesI've had a few WDC pipes over the years, but this one is my favorite and the only one I have at the moment. It's a Milano and I love the shape and the grain.
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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
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