Castello (c. 1968-82) “Castello” 3K Smooth Lovat Estate Briar Pipe, Italian Estates

Description

Founded in 1947 by Carlo Scotti, Castello quickly became known for producing some of the finest smoking pipes in the world. Over the years, the people involved in making Castello pipes has changed – such as Luigi Radice and Sergio Ascorti, who developed their skills in the Cantu workshop before leaving to start Caminetto, or the handing of the reigns of the company to Francisco ‘Kino’ Coppo after Scotti’s passing – but the superlative quality of Castello pipes has not. It is not without reason that Castello is known as “the Italian Dunhill.”

The “Castello” was, for a long time, Castello’s signature, strawberry-blonde finish (the line has since branched out into other stain variations), occupying a middle position between the workshop’s entry-level smooth line, the Trademark, and the typically lighter hues of the Collection line. In other words, it’s quintessentially Italian, high-grade pipe, complete with the choice briar, superior craftsmanship, and history that one expects from such pipes.

Within that “Castello” grade bracket, Castello pipes are typically also further subdivided based on grain quality and size. One thing that bears noting is that this one is graded using an uppercase “K” system, which means it was made between the end of the 1960s and the early 1980s, as pipes made after that cut-off have been graded using a circled, lowercase “k.” Thus, this very traditional Lovat scored quite highly, receiving three “K”s.

The condition is fair. Some rim darkening, blemishes in the finish on the bowl, and minor tooth marks. This pipe comes with its original box.

Details:

Length: 5.3″ / 134.6mm

Bowl Width: 0.76 / 19.30mm

Bowl Depth: 1.55″ / 39.37mm

Weight: 1.3oz / 38g