Ashton 1986 Pebble Grain XXX Bent Apple Estate Briar Pipe, English Estates

Description

Ashton is an English pipe brand created by William Ashton Taylor, a former Dunhill pipe-maker who left Dunhill in the 1980s to make pipes under his own name. Along with other pipe-makers such as Ken Barnes and Barry Jones of James Upshall and Les Wood of Ferndown, Ashton emerged as part of a new wave of high end, hand made British pipes in the late 20th century.

Ashton pipes from the Bill Taylor years (1983-2009) are known for their intensely craggy sandblasts, but this one is just about the gnarliest one I’ve ever seen. If I didn’t know better, I’d think it might be an unlabeled Pebble Shell, though I don’t think Taylor had started trying that sandblast-rusticated hybrid finish out yet when this one was made. In any case, if you’re looking for an alternative to the rugged, oil cured, Dunhill Shell Briars of the interwar years, this may well be the perfect pipe for you.

The condition is fair. Rim darkening and some finish discoloration.

 

Details:

Length: 5.5″ / 139.0mm

Bowl Width: 0.87 / 22.09mm

Bowl Depth: 1.26″ / 32.00mm

Weight: 1.9oz / 56g