Charatan Executive Smooth Apple w/ Vulcanite Estate Briar Pipe, English Estates

Description

While Dunhill may be Britain’s most famous pipe brand, Charatan is not only older, but has the honor of being the first to have made its pipes entirely in-house. ‘Charatan’s Make’ referred to the fact that, at a time when other pipe companies were sourcing stummels and stems carved from other companies before assembling them in their factories and workshops, Charatan made every part of their pipes on the Charatan premises. So began a legacy of high-quality pipe-making under the Charatan name, one whose employees, at one time or another, included Joel Sasieni, and Ken Barnes and Barry Jones of James Upshall fame.

The Executive belonged to Charatan’s series of high-grade freehand pipes, made by hand in the London factory’s freehand workshop. As Charatan put it, the Executive was  “A flawless hand cut straight grained pipe, distinguished by its honey color which accentuates the tight, unique graining.” This Executive certainly fits that description, while also being one of the most unique examples of the grade I think I’ve ever seen. Not entirely like the After Hours series, which featured shank extensions cut from acrylic, Bakelite, and other amber-hued materials, this one exhibits a vulcanite shank extension, with the result being something that looks classic, yet thoroughly modern at the same time. The stamping is a little peculiar, too. Normally, I’m used to Coronation grades having the Charatan nomenclature arched in such a fashion. Perhaps this was a very early Lane era piece?

The condition is very good. Some minor wear to the rim and slight residual oxidation.

 

Details:

Length: 6.5″ / 165.1mm

Bowl Width: 0.86 / 21.84mm

Bowl Depth: 1.67″ / 42.41mm

Weight: 2.1oz / 60g