Restorations, Uncategorized

New Life for a Peterson Dunmore 406 Prince

The Peterson Dunmore line, first launched in collaboration with Iwan Reis in 1971, was, according to this article by Mark Irwin, an attempt "to modernize the System pipe by removing what was perceived as the old-fashioned nickel mount." The series also featured a faux-Army mount stem and a carved beaded detail at the end of… Continue reading New Life for a Peterson Dunmore 406 Prince

Restorations

Crack Repair and Restoration of a Vintage Brigham 629 Author

The pipe on the bench today is a bit of a Canadian classic - a Brigham Shape 29 Author. Part of the Brigham lineup almost from the very beginning, the 29 shape is, in this age of larger pipes, rather a small version of the shape, especially when compared to contemporary cousins like the Savinelli… Continue reading Crack Repair and Restoration of a Vintage Brigham 629 Author

Restorations, Uncategorized

Replacing a Broken Tenon on a BBB Ultonia 442 Rhodesian

BBB pipes are a pillar of old English pipe making, started in 1856 as "Blumfeld's Best Briars" (later "Britain's Best Briars") when an 18-year-old Louis Blumfeld took over the management of the Adolph Frankau Company. The pipe on the bench today, a BBB Ultonia 442 Rhodesian, screams "classic English pipe", and shares a lot of… Continue reading Replacing a Broken Tenon on a BBB Ultonia 442 Rhodesian

Restorations, Uncategorized

Restoring and Re-Stemming an Ascorti Business 2004 Pipe of the Year

Pipes of the Year are a relatively new development in the marketing of smoking pipes. In the early 1980s there were just a few manufacturers putting out limited runs of special edition pipes annually. Today, based primarily on demand from collectors, I'd wager that the majority of established pipe brands participate in at least one… Continue reading Restoring and Re-Stemming an Ascorti Business 2004 Pipe of the Year

Restorations

Stem Repair and a General Freshening of a Carlo Scotti Castello Old Sea Rock Chimney

Pipe smokers can usually be sorted into one of two camps when it comes to pipe maintenance. On one side are the pipe stewards who go out of their way not to damage their pipes in any way. These folks may clean the pipe after each and every smoke, never ream carbon cake with a… Continue reading Stem Repair and a General Freshening of a Carlo Scotti Castello Old Sea Rock Chimney

Restorations, Uncategorized

Stripping and Refinishing a Patent Era Brigham 302 Billiard

I was recently sent several pipes for refurbishment from a gentleman in Nova Scotia . These were found on an estate pipe hunt through a local antique mall, and while they were in fairly good condition overall, they were all in line for some TLC. The little Billiard on the bench today was the worst… Continue reading Stripping and Refinishing a Patent Era Brigham 302 Billiard

Restorations, Uncategorized

Major Structural Repairs to Save a “Made in Ireland” Peterson Dublin & London 9BC

Peterson's 9BC shape is a true classic of the marque. The Shape 9 bowl is an original Charles Peterson design, part of the Peterson catalog since 1896, and, though the 9BC is out of production, it can still be found in modern Peterson pipes stamped as a 307, 9S or XL90s. The 9BC is also… Continue reading Major Structural Repairs to Save a “Made in Ireland” Peterson Dublin & London 9BC

Restorations

Repairing a Cracked Shank on a Danish Pride by Ben Wade Freehand

I recently refurbished a number of pipes sent in by a gentleman from Texas. These were mainly freehand pipes in need of new stems, but the pipe on the bench today needed quite a bit more TLC than a quick Ream & Clean. The handsome mixed finish Freehand Sitter pictured below arrived without a stem… Continue reading Repairing a Cracked Shank on a Danish Pride by Ben Wade Freehand

Restorations

Replacing a Loose 9mm Filter Tenon on a Dunhill Cumberland 4102F

A loose tenon is a fairly common occurrence in the pipe world. Many little things can alter the fit of the tenon over time. For example, removing the stem while the pipe is still hot can compress the tenon, wear and tear can erode the surface of the tenon or the mortise or both, or,… Continue reading Replacing a Loose 9mm Filter Tenon on a Dunhill Cumberland 4102F

Restorations, Uncategorized

Recreating a Unique Twin Bore P-Lip Style Stem for a Rudolf’s Patent Prima

If imitation is the biggest form or flattery, then Peterson should feel very flattered by the Rudolf's Patent pipe on the bench today. Purchased by an avid early Peterson pipe collector, the pipe was sent to me for some much needed rehabilitation. Here are a few pics of the pipe as it looked on arrival… Continue reading Recreating a Unique Twin Bore P-Lip Style Stem for a Rudolf’s Patent Prima