Barling Benjamin Guinea Grain 1815 Smooth Dublin w/ Silver & Case Estate Briar Pipe, Unsmoked, 9mm

Description

Barling and Sons was originally founded in 1812 by Benjamin Barling and began as a family business making silver-adorned meerschaum pipes. In the early 20th century, however, the Barling family began to produce what the brand is today most famous for—expertly made briar pipes.

Originally, and during the pre-transition, family era of the make, the Guinea Grain was one of Barling’s higher-end lines, and the name “Guinea Grain” was even registered as a trademark. Debuting in the 1950s, the name referred to the superior graining of these pipes and the finish used to accentuate this grain, creating look comparable, per Tad Gage, to a guinea—a 17th-19th century gold coin and the predecessor to the modern English pound. In the early post-transition era of Barling pipes (following the sale of B. Barling & Sons and the exodus of the Barling family from the company), the Barling grading system was simplified, with the Guinea Grain becoming one of the highest grades in regular production. This particular Barling does not belong to either of those eras, however the precedents set within them provide important contextual information for understanding a pipe such as this. When the pipe company Kopp purchased the Barling brand in 2020 and subsequently restarted production of Barling pipes, the Guinea Grain remained at the top end of such wares, with a continued emphasis on superior grain and a glossy golden finish. Kopp also decided to continue Barling’s historic association with sterling silverware by including variously styled engraved collars on Guinea Grain pipes (this one is the “Benjamin”), in addition to their lion’s head stem inlays. As a final touch, and as seen with this one, the finest Guinea Grain pipes also come with a custom-fitted case, as was the practice for the Barling family’s own most special pipes.

This pipe is completely unsmoked. It is chambered to allow for the use of 9mm filters if desired.

Details:

Length: 6″ / 152.4mm

Bowl Width: 0.81 / 20.57mm

Bowl Depth: 1.50″ / 38.10mm

Weight: 1.4oz / 42g