Castello Trademark 4K Smooth Army Bulldog 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.’

While a relatively modern production this particular Castello is a classic within the workshop’s portfolio. That’s because it is the same Lucite mounted bulldog that Carlo Scotti’s make has crafted since its earliest years, albeit not as commonly as some of its other shapes. Originally referred to as the 56F (“F,” or “floc,” being an Italian shorthand for tenon-less push fitments, with army mounts being the most frequent example) it is today simply known as the shape 56, with saddle, taper, and mounted options. It is the latter, however, that is most distinctive, swapping out the more typical silver or gold for a jet-black junction to a jet-black stem. This one comes from Castello’s Trademark line, which is quite fitting all things considered, having earned a full four out of a possible four “k”s within that grade bracket.

The condition is good. Some inner rim charring, a couple of slight scratches on the bowl, and handling marks.

 

Details:

Length: 6″ / 152.4mm

Bowl Width: 0.90 / 22.86mm

Bowl Depth: 1.79″ / 45.46mm

Weight: 1.6oz / 48g