GBD (Pre-1980s) New Standard 124 Smooth Billiard (Estate)

About this pipe:

GBD was one of several prominent examples of a French brand that would come to define pipe making styles on both sides of the English Channel. 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 range of traditional and modern designs, and partly due to the high standards of their production, GBD pipes would become particularly coveted by collectors, as well as those who simply appreciate classic, well-made smoking instruments.

There were a couple of different iterations of GBD’s flagship New Standard line in the 20th century, with the main difference between them being the finish used. Originally dressed in a ruby finish, the New Standard later shifted to a “tobacco brown” one that was almost as warm and toasty as the blends it would carry. Though it is a later 20th century make, based on the nomenclature and stem inlay, this will still be a pre-1980s, “pre-Cadogan” manufacture.

The condition is good. Some slight spots of rim charring, finish fading, and chamber slightly over-reamed.

Details:

Length: 6″ / 152.4mm

Bowl Width: 0.84 / 21.33mm

Bowl Depth: 1.56″ / 39.62mm

Weight: 1.0oz / 30g