Barling’s Make YOW 266 EXEXEL Smooth Apple Estate Briar Pipe, English Estates

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.

Family era Barling pipes—i.e., those made by the Barling family and during the period in which the family owned the B. Barling and Sons company—tend to be on the smaller side. Such was the case in general for early briars, including those made up until the mid-20th century. Thus, a family era Barling like this one would, more often than not, be closer to a modern Dunhill group 2 (or even 1) than anything else. As a consequence, as the Barling family began making larger pipes, their size group designations ended up getting almost comically long. Some pipes were grouped under “L” (“large”), some “EXL” (“extra large”), others as “EXEL” (“extra extra large”). This one, on the other hand, is an “EXEXEL,” i.e., an “extra extra extra large” pipe. But, as it is a family era Barling, it is just over 6 inches in length and not even 2 ounces as far as weight goes. It does have a distinctly bulbous, apple bowl, along with a very reasonable chamber and plenty of bird’s-eye to boot. But it is also, by more modern tastes, exceedingly manageable, in addition to being expertly made and quite gorgeous.

The condition is very good. Some very minor inner rim charring and some slight scratches on the outer rim, but nonetheless it is remarkably well preserved.

 

Details:

Length: 6.2″ / 157.4mm

Bowl Width: 0.81 / 20.57mm

Bowl Depth: 1.67″ / 42.41mm

Weight: 1.8oz / 52g