Astleys of London Smooth Bent Bulldog 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.

Could this be one of Dunhill’s saddle bent Rhodesians (I would call it a bulldog, but that’s their name for it)? It’s possible. Shapes like this one are hard to tell, given how traditional they are. In any case, it’s a beautiful pipe, with a very tasteful golden brown stain. It’s also exceedingly lightweight, so it should clench as comfortably as the best of them.

The condition is very good. There are a few handling marks, but nothing beyond the superficial.

 

Details:

Length: 5.5″ / 139.7mm

Bowl Width: 0.82 / 20.82mm

Bowl Depth: 1.08″ / 27.43mm

Weight: 1.2oz / 36g