GBD Pre-1980s Militaire 9488 Sandblasted Paneled Pot w/ Vulcanite Estate Briar Pipe, English Estates

GBD was one of several prominent examples of a French pipe brand that, due to certain circumstances, ultimately became one of the standard bearers of classic “British” pipes. Founded in 1850 by the French trio Ganneval, Bondier & Donninger, the brand was bought by English company Oppenheimer at the beginning of the 20th century, who opened factories in London and Paris to meet an increasing demand for the make’s high-quality and highly desirable pipes. Partly owing to the make’s inventive, yet traditional shapes, and partly due to the high standards of their production, GBD pipes are particularly coveted by collectors, as well as those who simply appreciate classic, well-made smoking instruments.

Taking its name from the French for “military,” GBD’s Militaire line, was, as one might imagine, distinguished by the presence of a military-mounted, or army-mounted, fitment. What made the Militaire a little different similar pipes from GBD’s Anglo-French contemporaries was that the mount in question was not turned from silver, nickel, or any kind of metal for that matter, but vulcanite, the same as was used for the mouthpiece itself. I’m not sure exactly when the line debuted, but it does seem to have been a rather early example of that kind of fitment, especially in the context of English factory briars. This one takes the form of one of GBD’s many hybrid shapes, the panel-shank pot sitter “9488,” and is dressed in a beautifully crisp, bird’s-eye blast. The nomenclature and stem inlay further indicate this as being a pre-1980s GBD, and therefore a pre-Cadogan Investments merger production, which is always a bonus.

The condition is good. Some rim darkening, chamber slightly over-reamed, and some finish fading.

Details:

Length: 6.3″ / 160.0mm

Bowl Width: 0.97 / 24.63mm

Bowl Depth: 1.43″ / 36.32mm

Weight: 1.3oz / 38g