The GBD Collectors Thread

[ssjones]

Military stem GBD's are not common, another interesting find. What is the finish stamp on that one and shape number (guessing 549)

 

[milehighme]

All I see on it is Militaire and 9740 for the shape. I'm just getting into the piping world. Sorry I can't be more help then that.

 

[milehighme]

Oh, and London England

 

[ssjones]

Ah, yes the Militaire line, those are not seen often. That shape number is also not on my list.

 

[gloucesterman]

I have that same pipe and SS is right you don't see them that often.

 

[milehighme]

Any chance you have a picture of yours? Do you know any much about the pipe?

 

[mranglophile]

Any opinions on the French Speciale Standard's? How do they compare to the British ones? There is a Zulu I like the look of. Thanks in advance...great thread.

 

[ssjones]

I have a French made "Originale", it is a terrific pipe. I think the Originale is a step above the Speciale. I've worked on a Speciale and found it to be equal of the GBD British-made counterparts.

 

[gloucesterman]

I've never seen an "Originale" before. Was it available in the 9438? It does look like a better grade. As always you resto is impeccable. Dutch

 

[ssjones]

I suspect the 9438 would be available in the 9438, but I've never seen one.

That one came from Smokers Haven and was pretty much delivered in that condition. I lightened the rim darkening and worked out some bruises. It is actually a better smoking pipe than my 9242.

 

[mranglophile]

So I got my 1687 in the mail today, just stunning. Hands down one of my nicest looking/feeling pipes, smoked one bowl so far it it smokes as good as it looks. I really feel like I missed out not looking at GBD's earlier.
The stem work is really nice but seems like acrylic. Is that Black Perspex? The only other GBD I have is a International with an acrylic replacement stem by JT Cooke so I can't use it for comparison. I don't know but I just assumed they used vulcanite.

 

[ssjones]

Perspex is acrylic, some of their colored stems are as well (Bronze Velvet). Unless the black stem is from a Cadogan era pipe (no brass rondell), it should be vulcanite.

 

[mranglophile]

That's what I assumed, but I had seen this reply from GL Pease from one of the old news groups:

Prestige

"This pipe features a BLACK HANDCUT PERSPEX mouthpiece which precludes

discoloration and 'bad taste' after continual smoking. Only the finest of

the fine-grained bowls are selected for this handsome matt virgin finished

briar."

Mine is a Virgin Collector(not prestige) and has the brass rondell and I would swear it is Lucite, its pretty obvious when I put it in my mouth, is there a good way to tell with out taking a lighter to it to see if I smell rubber (just kidding)?

 

[ssjones]

Ah yes, I've never worked on a Prestige. Your lighter test is the only one I know of. (other then feel)

 

[ssjones]

Here's an interesting shape number, 9456 in a Commander finish. Brass rondell with the circular COM, an oddball. More interesting is the 9456 shape number, which is listed as an Apple with straight stem, not in this case.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Unsmoked-1970s-GBD-COMMANDER-SUPER-NICE-FULL-BENT-BILLARD-70S-COPPER-MINT-/361081621399?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5412244b97

 

[danielplainview]

Never heard of a Commander. It's also rare to see a colored stem on a rhondelle era GBD, aside from the Bronze Velvet.

 

[danielplainview]

Has anyone heard of the GBD model Autumn Gold? Is it a pre-1980 model? It has the stem rhondell, but that's not always foolproof.

 

[pepesdad1]

I've got a 9456 in a Tapestry that is stunning to me.

 

[bonehed]

New model according to pipedia: ''Metal rondelles were discontinued after the merger with Comoy. The brass rondell made a reappearance on new production GBD's. The new lines are Autumn Gold, Bermuda, Facet, Pub and CW (Churchwarden).''

 

[cobguy]

I'm new to the GBD club thanks to a recent purchase from member MrMotoyoshi.
Both pipes are from the "Prehistoric" line. The first is a sandblasted Billiard (shape 133) with a perspex stem and the other is a sandblasted pot (shape 9493) also with Perspex stem.
While I have not had a chance to smoke either pipe yet, I'm pleased with the initial inspection!