Barlings Make YOW 52 EXEXEL Smooth Billiard 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.

As mentioned in another recent listing, family era Barling pipes tend to be on the smaller side, as was the fashion at the turn of the 20th century. As the decades went by and the Barling family began making larger pipes, rather than create new size designations, they simply added more letters to existing designations. Barling’s large pipes were grouped as “L” (“large”), so pipes that were even larger were grouped as “EXL” (“extra large”). Larger still were “EXEL” (“extra extra large”) pipes. This one is an “EXEXEL,” i.e., an “extra extra extra large” pipe, at least as far as convention and precedent dictated at the time. As Barling collectors will know to expect, it’s a beautiful pipe, with a simple, light, golden finish that brings out the briar on full display.

The condition is great. Some slight wear to the inner rim, but remarkably preserved, even for a Barling.

 

Details:

Length: 6.2″ / 157.4mm

Bowl Width: 0.82 / 20.82mm

Bowl Depth: 1.67″ / 42.41mm

Weight: 2.0oz / 58g