Unusual Markings; Meerschaum, Real or Fake?

[Pipechick]

HI,
My husband purchased these two pipes (Lion and Sultan) believing them to be real Meerschaum. In my research I cannot find anything referring to the markings on them so I am reaching out to this community to see if you have even encountered them. I would love any additional information. Photos attached
Thanks!

Pipechick

 

[FLDRD]

They certainly look real to me.
Others are more expert and may be along anytime soon.

 

[The Novice Piper]

There was a man named Fred Bass who was long considered an expert authority on meerschaum pipes (he has passed away now). If you dig through the web you can find articles he wrote about identifying quality meerschaum, caring for it, the history of certain manufacturers, etc. (I don't have any links immediately on hand or I'd just post them.) There are limited articles still available but the ones remaining are very informative. I would start there.

For what it's worth, I've heard that genuine block meerschaum (as opposed to compressed meerschaum) is said to be noticeably lighter, and easily identified by wetting a finger lightly and swiping it inside the bowl; if your finger sticks to the chamber immediately, you have genuine block. (I've not tried this on compressed meer so I don't know the difference from experience.)

Edit: Those are gorgeous carvings, by the way!

 

[Sigmund]

Im no expert either but those sure look like casting marks. The broken or jagged detail speaks to that as well. Where did he get them?

 

[xrundog]

The carving is mid grade, but those look like meerschaum to me. Ivory color, satiny surface, stems look right. They look like tourist grade pieces.

 

[AroEnglish]

Im no expert either but those sure look like casting marks. The broken or jagged detail speaks to that as well. Where did he get them?

Is casting in meerschaum a thing? I always assumed that blocks were pressed then carved.

 

[Sigmund]

Ive no idea but those look like marks from injection molding or something like that. Again, no expert but I see no reason for them to be there. Im not convinced they are hand carved.

I did a little search and there is a suggestion that cheap meer pipes are molded. You can mold most any material.

 

[camaguey]

The carving is mid grade, but those look like meerschaum to me. Ivory color, satiny surface, stems look right. They look like tourist grade pieces.

I agree. I have seen those markings before on block meerschaums.

 

[Sigmund]

You would think they could be bothered to clean them up.

 

[kcghost]

These look perfectly fine to me.

 

[anotherbob]

looks legit to me.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Real Meerschaum, yes, but block or pressed is the question.

Seems to me that one could have a cast Meer that is subsequently carved upon. I look forward to more informed opinions!

 

[xrundog]

Weight is the real give away. There is and expectation of lightness when picking up a block meerschaum. Pressed meerschaum is a lot heavier. Like heavier than a briar. Also all the pressed meerschaum pipes I’ve had were bright white.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Weight is the real give away. There is and expectation of lightness when picking up a block meerschaum. Pressed meerschaum is a lot heavier. Like heavier than a briar. Also all the pressed meerschaum pipes I’ve had were bright white.

Will pressed meerschaum float, sink, or in between?

 

[xrundog]

Will pressed meerschaum float, sink, or in between?

I’ve never tested that. But based on density and weight I’d expect it to sink. I can’t check for you either. I long ago sold off the couple I had. A pressed meerschaum pipe in the hand presents similar to unglazed porcelin.

 

[jpmcwjr]

I’ve never tested that. But based on density and weight I’d expect it to sink. I can’t check for you either. I long ago sold off the couple I had. A pressed meerschaum pipe in the hand presents similar to unglazed porcelin.

My guess, too. I don't have any pressed meers, either. (nor beers, thanks spell checker)
I bet someone has made the test. And please chime in!

 

[dottlejockey]

Looks like meer to me, too. Weight is a good indicator as the bonding agent adds to the weight of a pressed block. I think i have one pipe that is pressed due it being heavier that the others and coloring in an odd way (almost lack thereof). In any event, if the internal engineering is decent, smoke em if ya got em and see how they do.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Looks like meer to me, too. Weight is a good indicator as the bonding agent adds to the weight of a pressed block. I think i have one pipe that is pressed due it being heavier that the others and coloring in an odd way (almost lack thereof). In any event, if the internal engineering is decent, smoke em if ya got em and see how they do.

Would you do the sink or swim test on the pressed Meer? Please!

 

[dottlejockey]

Would you do the sink or swim test on the pressed Meer? Please!

Just tried it. It floats!

For the record, here is visual evidence of what i was talking about with repect to weight and color in the earlier post. Let the record hold that both meers are quite similar in size.



But not in weight (the unmarked pipe on right is about 32% heavier than the IMP on left):



And the coloring is a tale of two very different meers as well.



I've had the unmarked meer twice as long, it was 1/3 of the price and has very little coloring, save for where my hands touch it while smoking.

That being said, it smokes red VA like a champ and has survived a few cullings of the herd as a result. It has (and still does) see it's fair share of McClelland 5100. I don't care whether it colors, is block, pressed or made of some secret squirrel factory look-alike material, if it smokes any tobacco this well it deserves a roll in the rotation IMO. Hence why i said, and still advise: "smoke em!" Never know what kind of gem you might find.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Nicely done! Thanks.