Calabresi (Thomas Cristiano) Smooth Billiard Estate Briar Pipe, Italian Estates

While originally born in Italy, Thomas Cristiano emigrated to the United States at the age of 16, quickly finding work in the S.M. Frank factory in Long Island. For many years, Cristiano worked at S.M. Frank, rising through the ranks to become one of the company’s main supervisors, where he oversaw the production of Kaywoodie, Medico, and Yello-Bole pipes. In 1982, Cristiano left S.M. Frank to start his own pipe business, through which he both distributed pipes from major Italian makes, such as L’Anatra, and manufactured his own, which included the Calabresi and Thomas Cristiano makes.

Thomas Cristiano had a wealth of experience with traditional factory briars, so while he did offer plenty of distinctly Italian designs as part of his T. Cristiano and Calabresi makes, it was only natural that he would include more classical pieces in that output. This pipe is an example of that; a stout, large billiard in the English vein, with a light brown finish highlighting its briar’s swirling cross-grain patterns.

The condition is good. Some darkening and general wear to the rim, and a couple of small worn out fills.

Details:

Length: 6″ / 152.4mm

Bowl Width: 0.81 / 20.57mm

Bowl Depth: 1.68″ / 42.67mm

Weight: 2.1oz / 60g