GBD Rose Conquest 262 Smooth Lumberman 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.

For their oversized pipes, GBD used to use three ascending designations: Conquest, Collector, and Colossus. The Conquest was the first rung of the oversized ladder, making them certainly larger than average, while still being very manageable for the average pipe smoker. This classic “262” lumberman, for example, dressed in the Rosé finish, is around 7 inches in length, while staying just around the 1.5oz mark. This one is also fitted with one of GBD’s iconic Perspex stems, which would ultimately be lost to time in the later 20th century.
Speaking of time, based on the stamping and brass “GBD” stem rondelle, I’d estimate this pipe to have been made prior to the Cadogan Investments merger in the very early 1980s. Though it has been speculated that the Rosé was introduced in 1981, this iteration appears to contradict that.

The condition is good. Some minor inner rim charring and slight fading to the finish.

 

Details:

Length: 7″ / 177.8mm

Bowl Width: 0.80 / 20.32mm

Bowl Depth: 1.70″ / 43.18mm

Weight: 1.5oz / 44g