Edwards XL Smooth Bent Billiard w/ Ebonite Estate Briar Pipe, Unsmoked

While it has, at times, contracted other parties to produce pipes under its name, Edward’s used to manufacture both pipes and tobacco of its own, with a view to becoming the “American Charatan” for the former. The brand was a pioneer for American freehand pipes in this way, with its employed carvers including the great Randy Wiley. This period, during the 1960s-1970s, coincided with Edward’s priding itself on using choice Algerian briar (which the Algerian war of independence later interrupted the supply of) which was specially oil-cured and very lightly finished.

Here we have another signature Algerian Briar piece from Edward’s, and as has been a common theme in the Edward’s pipes that have come through lately, this one blends traditional and modern styles in a way that’s very much in keeping with the early American freehand vein. An especially large, 1/4 bent billiard, the pipe features nice grain, an ebonite mount, and a matching, flared and beaded ebonite stem.

This one is completely unsmoked, too, with an original bowl coating. Some minor residual oxidation and a couple of very small scratches on the bowl, though nothing major.

Details:

Length: 7.1″ / 180.3mm

Bowl Width: 0.90 / 22.86mm

Bowl Depth: 1.93″ / 49.02mm

Weight: 2.1oz / 62g