GBD Midnight 9438 Smooth Bullmoose Estate Briar Pipe, English Estates

Description

GBD was one of several prominent examples of a French pipe brand that, due to certain circumstances, became a maker most associated with classic ‘British’ pipes. Founded in 1850 by the French trio Ganneval, Bondier & Donninger, the brand was bought by English company Oppenheimer at the beginning of the 20th century, who opened factories in London and Paris to meet an increasing demand for the make’s high-quality and highly desirable pipes. Partly owing to the make’s inventive, yet traditional shapes, and partly due to the high standards of their production, GBD pipes are particularly coveted by collectors, as well as those who simply appreciate classic, well-made smoking instruments.

Of all of the many shapes produced by GBD, I’d rank the 9438 as one of the most renowned—if not the most renowned in the make’s historical catalog. It could be called a “chubby Rhodesian,” but the name that has stuck with it, along with other shapes like it from other makes, is the “bullmoose.” It’s a decidedly squat and stout take on the traditional Rhodesian shape, with a weight and angle that isn’t too difficult on the jaw, either.
This one comes from the make’s Midnight line which, sources cite as having debuted in 1980. Similar sources also cite that the brass “GBD” Rondelle stem inlay was discontinued around 1981, around the same time that the Cadogan Investments merger brought a number of storied British pipe brands under one roof. So, it would either be just before that merger, or very early on into it. The Midnight did undergo some changes as the years went by, including a modification of the finish and the substitution of the line’s stem for a swirling acrylic stem. This isn’t one of those later iterations, that’s for sure.

The condition is very good. Minor rim darkening and a couple of small, superficial scratches on the bowl. The pipe comes with its original box and sleeve.

 

Details:

Length: 5.5″ / 139.7mm

Bowl Width: 0.75 / 19.05mm

Bowl Depth: 1.21″ / 30.73mm

Weight: 2.1oz / 62g