tldr; When do you thin this Kaywoodie was made? Drinkless over Kaywoodie. Imported Briar over 4 digit no letter shape number. 4 hole short small ball stinger with no stampings. White inlaid clover on top.
So, I recently made a purchase online after weeks of researching the dating of Kaywoodies. I understand how hard Kaywoodies can be do date or narrow down. So, I understand if not much information can be provided.
The main thing I was focused on was the briar stampings and whether or not it was a 3 or 4 hole stinger.
My main reason for purchasing a 4 digit was that it would seem to indicate a pre-WWII pipe. I just like old stuff like that and I had heard the quality of briar suffered due to the war. So, it seemed like an ideal era to get a pipe from if you wanted an oldie. And, most of the information seems to point to that so far.
I found one post on this forum of a 4 digit 4 hole with Imported Briar stamping. And, someone stated this puts it in the narrow time window of 1936-1937. No one seemed to contest this. I didn't see much additional information about the stinger.
However, I recently remembered talk about small/large ball and short/long stingers. I started digging in and learned of the importance (or possibly lack thereof) of stampings on the stinger itself. I've seen some on this forum say that stampings on the stinger were erratic. That some pipes you'd expect to see a stamping didn't and some pipes that you wouldn't expect to see a stamping did.
I also read somewhere on these forums that just before WWII the ball was downsized slightly and only the word Drinkless was stamped on the stinger. And, that it wasn't until 1941 that the nomenclature was removed entirely. They stated that it was also in 1941 when the ball was reduced in size twice. I'm not sure how accurate this information is given the statement I made above about erratic stinger stampings; which was backed by another post on these forums.
The stem appears original and it does have the logo on top. But, the stinger information seems to conflict with the pipe information. Based on the pipe, I'd guess no later than 1936/1937 mostly due to the 4 digit shape number and the Imported Briar stamping. But, based on the stinger I'd guess no earlier than 1941 due to the short stinger with a small ball and no stamping. I couldn't find a post of anyone in this same pipe vs stinger predicament.
So, I guess my question is... What say you fellow Kaywoodie collectors?
Pre-WWII or Post-WWII??
I can post pictures once it's in my possession or include the sellers pictures if anyone would prefer.
So, I recently made a purchase online after weeks of researching the dating of Kaywoodies. I understand how hard Kaywoodies can be do date or narrow down. So, I understand if not much information can be provided.
The main thing I was focused on was the briar stampings and whether or not it was a 3 or 4 hole stinger.
- It is Drinkless over Kaywoodie. So, most likely pre-1950s/60s based on the information I've read.
- It has an Imported Briar stamp. So, most likely post-1936/37 based on the information I've read.
- It is a 4 digit shape number. So, most likely pre-1936. This seems pretty well agreed upon.
- It has a 4 hole stinger. So, most like pre-1955. This seems pretty well agreed upon.
- It also has the "logo on top" which I haven't seen dates for but implies an earlier and/or higher quality briar pipe.
My main reason for purchasing a 4 digit was that it would seem to indicate a pre-WWII pipe. I just like old stuff like that and I had heard the quality of briar suffered due to the war. So, it seemed like an ideal era to get a pipe from if you wanted an oldie. And, most of the information seems to point to that so far.
I found one post on this forum of a 4 digit 4 hole with Imported Briar stamping. And, someone stated this puts it in the narrow time window of 1936-1937. No one seemed to contest this. I didn't see much additional information about the stinger.
However, I recently remembered talk about small/large ball and short/long stingers. I started digging in and learned of the importance (or possibly lack thereof) of stampings on the stinger itself. I've seen some on this forum say that stampings on the stinger were erratic. That some pipes you'd expect to see a stamping didn't and some pipes that you wouldn't expect to see a stamping did.
I also read somewhere on these forums that just before WWII the ball was downsized slightly and only the word Drinkless was stamped on the stinger. And, that it wasn't until 1941 that the nomenclature was removed entirely. They stated that it was also in 1941 when the ball was reduced in size twice. I'm not sure how accurate this information is given the statement I made above about erratic stinger stampings; which was backed by another post on these forums.
The stem appears original and it does have the logo on top. But, the stinger information seems to conflict with the pipe information. Based on the pipe, I'd guess no later than 1936/1937 mostly due to the 4 digit shape number and the Imported Briar stamping. But, based on the stinger I'd guess no earlier than 1941 due to the short stinger with a small ball and no stamping. I couldn't find a post of anyone in this same pipe vs stinger predicament.
So, I guess my question is... What say you fellow Kaywoodie collectors?
Pre-WWII or Post-WWII??I can post pictures once it's in my possession or include the sellers pictures if anyone would prefer.
If it doesn't or I don't, no harm no foul.
So, Kaywoodies got it easy!!