Dunhill (1997) Shell Briar 5125 Sandblasted Opera (Estate)

To veteran pipe smokers, Dunhill needs no introduction. Beginning in 1907, Alfred Dunhill began selling Dunhill pipes at the tobacconist shop he owned on London’s Duke Street. Very quickly, these pipes gained the reputation of being the “Rolls-Royce” of pipes due to how expertly crafted they were. Today, Dunhill is likely Britain’s most famous pipe manufacturer, and continues to produce some of the most treasured pipes a smoker can buy.

Opera pipes are highly distinct in relation to other shapes, owing to their having an oval chamber, rather than a typical circular one. The origin of the shape, as well as the name, is debated among pipe historians, with one rationale for the shape itself being the ease with which it could be kept in one’s inside pocket. Over the course of the 20th century, Alfred Dunhill Ltd. manufactured quite a few different opera variations, though they appear to have become far rarer within Dunhill’s output over the last few decades. As such, these days a Dunhill opera is quite an uncommon sight, though the shape does remain on shape charts under the name of the “Evening Dress.” This one, dressed in Dunhill’s signature Shell Briar sandblast finish, comes from 1997, and is an even rarer example of a Dunhill opera, on account of its group 5 size. On the other hand, as Dunhill’s pipes tend to be very traditional in their proportions, even this group 5 opera rendition is a very compact one, making it eminently portable (just as it should be) and effortlessly elegant (just as one should like it to be).

The condition is very good. Some inner rim darkening and minor finish fading.

Details:

Length: 5.1″ / 129.5mm

Bowl Length: 0.99 / 25.14mm

Bowl Depth: 1.47″ / 37.33mm

Weight: 1.4oz / 40g