Astleys of London Smooth Lovat 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.

This is an eminently traditional pipe from Astleys. So traditional, in fact, that I struggle to think who might have made it. In lieu of my usual ruminations over the maker, I shall simply say a few words about the pipe itself. It is a Lovat of around group 2 size, making it very portable and great for shorter smokes, such as on work breaks. It is also tremendously lightweight, meaning it should clench like a dream. The stain is warm, chestnut brown. It is reserved in its design, but all the more elegant for being so.

The condition is good. It has a few handling marks and minor scratches, as well as a little inner rim darkening, but these are superficial imperfections. In any case, I’ve adjusted the price to reflect this. On the other hand, the vulcanite stem is unblemished, and even the Astleys ‘A’ logo has been perfectly preserved.

Details:

Length: 5.6″ / 142.2mm

Bowl Width: 0.72 / 18.28mm

Bowl Depth: 1.42″ / 36.06mm

Weight: 0.9oz / 28g