Barling’s Make (Pre-Transition) Ye Olde Wood Fossil 455 (EXEXEL) (T.V.F) Sandblasted Oval Shank Billiard (Estate)

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 late 19th century, however, the Barling family began to produce what the brand is today most famous for—expertly made briar pipes.

Of all the Barling pipes that have ever been manufactured, both in briar and meerschaum, it is the so-called “pre-transition,” “family era” makes that are the most prized and sought after. These were the pipes produced back when B. Barling & Sons was owned and managed by the Barling family, before a buyout and transition in ownership occurred in 1960, and a second transition in management occurred in 1962—with the latter resulting in the Barling family being dismissed from the company entirely. As for pre-transition, family era briars, one significant reason that such pipes are so highly valued is their finishing. The early B. Barling and Sons company may not have been the first to use sandblasted finishes on their pipes, but it is certainly one of the most famous to do so. Rightly remembered for their typically wonderfully rich textures and excellent use of briar’s natural patterning, the Barling family’s sandblasted pipes are a sight to behold, even an age like ours, distinguished by its thriving artisan scene and the high-grade blasts that it includes. Speaking of artisans, Barlings like this Extra, Extra Large (by midcentury standards) sandblasted Fossil billiard have shaped not only the collector community, but the community of pipe makers around the world, with many a master carver having looked to Barling pipes as valuable resources in developing and refining their own pursuit of the perfect blast.

The condition is fair. Some rim charring, finish fading, and handling marks, and chamber slightly over-reamed.

Details:

Length: 6.4″ / 162.5mm

Bowl Width: 0.84 / 21.33mm

Bowl Depth: 1.79″ / 45.46mm

Weight: 1.4oz / 43g