Astleys of London Smooth Stack 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 Astleys reminds me a little of some of Dunhill’s historic ‘Quaint’ shapes. I can’t say it’s a Dunhill-made for certain, but that would explain why it is also so lightweight, as Dunhills tend to be. The stain is also reminiscent of the older Bruyere finish, being a warm, wine-red hue.

The condition is great. The inner lip of the rim is a little darkened, but the vulcanite stem is free of tooth marks, and the stain is otherwise free of significant handling marks.

Details:

Length: 6″ / 152.4mm

Bowl Width: 0.79 / 20.06mm

Bowl Depth: 1.98″ / 50.29mm

Weight: 1.0oz / 30g