Volk pipe

[myork82]

I'm wondering/hoping that someone might be able to help me find some information on my great grandfathers Volk pipe. The only information I've found on it is that it was designed by Jacque Fresco and made by Volk Manufacturing Corp starting sometime around the year 1946. It's a metal stemmed pipe with a replaceable bowl. Does anyone out there know a little more about this pipe than that? I have to admit I'm getting a little frustrated with the lack of online information available. I've only found one website that even mentions the pipe at all, a British site on metal, replaceable bowl pipes.

 

[hobie1dog]

Sorry I can't help you, but welcome to the forum.

 

[ohin3]

Post some pics Myork. It sounds like a Falcon pipe to me. I dunno if there are other brands that make metal stemmed pipes with replaceable bowls. The only one that I know of is Falcon. I would send them an email or call them. I know that they were started as an american company in the early 40s and moved to the UK in the 60s. Hope this helps and welcome to the forum.
http://www.falconpipes.com/
Cheers.
P.

 

[cortezattic]

Welcome to the forums, myork82!

The site you referred to is doubtlessly smokingmetal.co.uk

Maybe that gives ohin3 and others something to work with.

 

[myork82]

Thats the site. I'm trying to do this while juggling my two kids, so I hadn't gotten the chance to make sure it was cool to put up other sites and what not. I've never been part of a forum, so I'm not up to date on all the ins and outs. Thanks for the help so far everyone.

 

[cortezattic]

Well, welcome aboard (excuse the pun.) Very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable bunch of folks here.

 

[ohin3]

That's a cool lookin' rig Myork.

 

[cortezattic]

myork82,

Jacque Fresco apparently was a very talented designer, holding US patents on several inventions, including a very nifty variable-camber airplane wing, or airfoil of some type. He is almost certainly the designer of the Volk pipe as pictured above -- but, I guess, as an employee or contractor of Volk Mfg.
The "Volk Pipe", as a concept, was patented by one Allan F. Volk of NY,NY., and registered under US patent # 0568504, on Sept. 29, 1896.

The Volk Pipe pictured above is probably Fresco's modernized, design-rework of the patented pipe.

Hopefully this link will get you to the patent specifications page of the US Patent Office.
If you wanted your pipe dated or evaluated I think you'd have to seek out an expert at a major pipe show. Maybe this e-zine's administrator, Kevin, can point you in that direction. Good luck, and let us know what happens.

 

[cortezattic]

...on second thought, I can tell you what it's worth. It's your great grandfather's pipe, an heirloom pipe, which makes it priceless. I suggest you use it and connect with him as often as you can. I wish I had anything of my great grandfather's -- let alone something of such a personal nature that the two of you can share, albeit outside of time. And make sure that your grandson gets the pipe and sustains the connection with whom he'll call his great-great-great grandfather. Geez.

 

[myork82]

Oh there's no talk of selling the pipe. My dad owns the pipe now, given to him when my great grandfather died about 26 years ago. The pipe I have is actually my dad's old kaywoodie Saxon that he bought about 30 yrs ago. It's my hope that my dad will put down the cigarettes and pick up his grandfather's pipe and sit down and smoke pipe with me. I got him to do it the other day with my chief, another fireman, and myself. We just sat out in the back of the truck bay, smoking a bowl and talking about different pipes and tabacco...and guns. He seemed to have a really good time. I'm hoping that this will help take my friendship with my dad to another level.

 

[cortezattic]

Sounds good to me.

 

[ohin3]

Damn Myork you got me all misty. Sounds like good times for you, your dad, and both your hearts.
Cheers.
P.