Astleys of London Rusticated Bent Bulldog Estate Briar Pipe

Astleys was one of London’s most historic pipe and tobacco shops. Like many pipe tobacconists, its owners had pipes made specially to be sold under the shop’s name. Astleys pipes, however, were made by some of the premier pipe manufacturers and artisans in the UK, such as Dunhill, Charatan, Les Wood, and Ken Barnes and Barry Jones of James Upshall. As a result, Astleys pipes are prized for their quality, and as examples of the very finest British pipes.

This particular pipe is a rare, rusticated Astleys, made during its Jermyn Street heyday. It reminds me a little of James Upshall’s bark finish, but it is difficult to say for certain who made this one. In any case it’s a great, classically English bent bulldog.

Details:

Length: 5.8″ / 147.3mm

Bowl Width: 0.76 / 19.30mm

Bowl Depth: 1.13″ / 28.70mm

Weight: 1.5oz / 44g