Barling’s Make 1960-62 4804 Sandblasted Zulu Estate Briar Pipe, English Estates

Description

B. 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.

This particular Barling comes from a much-debated period in the history of the make. Unlike many cases where a pipe company is sold off to a new owner, the production of Barling pipes was still managed by the same individuals after B. Barling and Sons was purchased by Finlay & Co—including, and most crucially, the Barling family themselves. This is one of the reasons that this period is known as the “transition era”; Barling historians, such as Jesse Silver and Jonathan Guss, have made the case that, in between the sale of B. Barling and Sons around 1960, and the dismissal of the Barling family by the company’s new owners in 1962, there was a period of Barling pipes manufacture that can and should be historically isolated. This period was one of a transition of the Barling family away from the manufacture of Barling pipes, first in their removal from managerial positions at the company, then as a wholesale exodus. Those who favor and collect Barlings on the basis of the family’s involvement in their production therefore have a couple more years worth of pipes to covet, rather than restrict themselves solely to 1960 makes and prior.

In the case of this one, it does check the boxes of what one looks for in a good Barling. Rendered as a classic Zulu shape, the sandblasting on this pipe is better even than many of the pre-transition Barlings I’ve come across. The ring grain is simply impeccable, with a depth that is all the more impressive considering that it is thoroughly in keeping with the proportions of a very traditional rendition. I’d consider it a worthy addition to the collections of even the most steadfast Barling purists.

The condition is great. Very minor darkening and finish fading on the rim, and some fading of the nomenclature (though thankfully not on the most important parts, i.e., the Barling’s Make name and Nichols number).

Details:

Length: 5.6″ / 142.2mm

Bowl Width: 0.71 / 18.03mm

Bowl Depth: 1.49″ / 37.84mm

Weight: 0.9oz / 26g