Astleys of London Smooth Straight 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.

This is an interesting one. It looks a little like a straight bulldog from Dunhill, but it’s closer to the ’04’ than earlier renditions. The stain is quite striking, though, much closer to an Amber Root finish than a Root or Bruyere. So, it could potentially be a Dunhill-made Astleys – a very high-grade one. The other possibility that comes to mind is Upshall; there’s something of an artisan’s touch to the golden contrast stain that seems more appropriate. It’s hard to say. In any case, it’s a gorgeous pipe, and incredibly lightweight, despite being a fairly standard size.

The condition is great, too. There’s some inner rim darkening, but I wouldn’t call it major. The vulcanite stem has held up well, too.

 

Details:

Length: 6.2″ / 157.4mm

Bowl Width: 0.78 / 19.81mm

Bowl Depth: 1.45″ / 36.83mm

Weight: 1.1oz / 34g