Charatan’s Make Distinction Extra Large Smooth Freehand 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 “Distinction” was one of the grades awarded to straight grain pipes from Charatan’s freehand workshop. That is in part why these pipes were awarded such a lofty title. But there is another reason for choosing that word in particular: the pipe’s stain. “Distinction” grade pipes were dressed in two distinct stains which gave the underlying grain an even more prominent appearance. This one employs a signature motif of Charatan freehands as far as shaping goes, too, a motif that can be traced back to the very first of its kind. That motif is, as Charatan fans might guess, the “cup and saucer,” originated by a young Barry Jones while he was still training under Reuben Charatan. While not quite a “true” cup and saucer, this freehand employs the same, “stepped” form halfway down its bowl, giving the appearance of the top half being set down on the bottom one. Based on the “MADE BY HAND” nomenclature and proprietary Double Comfort stem, I’d estimate this pipe to have been made during the first Lane era, i.e., around 1961-65.

The condition is good. Some inner rim charring, a small nick on the inner rim, and minor handling marks.

Details:

Length: 6″ / 152.4mm

Bowl Width: 0.85 / 21.59mm

Bowl Depth: 1.64″ / 41.65mm

Weight: 1.4oz / 40g