Astleys of London Smooth Bent Apple Estate Briar Pipe

Description

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.

To me, this Astleys looks like it was made by Dunhill. I can’t be 100% sure, of course, but having handled a fair few Dunhills in my time, this one fits the proportions of their saddle-stem bent apples. The stain could possibly be an older Bruyere, or perhaps a Chestnut. Regardless of who made it, though, it’s a lovely, very traditional pipe of around group 3 size (3-4 in Dunhill standards), which should be a comfortable jaw hanger for just about anyone. The grain patterns are nice too – lots of bird’s-eye, great to see.

The condition is excellent. Maybe one or two minor handling marks, but nothing major.

Details:

Length: 5.5″ / 139.7mm

Bowl Width: 0.75 / 19.05mm

Bowl Depth: 1.45″ / 36.83mm

Weight: 1.6oz / 46g