Orlik Hurricane H54 Smooth Wind Cap Billiard Estate Briar Pipe, English Estates

Description

Orlik was an English pipe manufacturer founded in 1899 by Louis Orlik. While originally the company’s mission was to produce low-cost pipes, the make would ultimately be known for the distinctly high quality of their products. Consequently, Orlik pipes are today a favorite among pipe smokers and collectors, especially those who prefer the hobby’s Great British classics.

Like Alfred Dunhill’s Windshield, or various silver-capped briars, the Hurricane was one of the many 20th century inventions intended to help smokers enjoy their pipes in less than favorable weather. Many of these inventions originated in Britain, which makes sense for a nation infamously beleaguered by gales and rainfall. The “Hurricane” wind cap system was one of these inventions, and though its origins are unclear, it was, at one time or another, associated with Roy Talent, Nutt Products (side note: a fantastic name for oddball inventions), and, of course, Orlik. This one is Orlik’s H54 Hurricane model, a wind-capped rendition of the make’s shape “54” “Large Billiard.” Based on the stamping and the fact that this is a Hurricane model, this should be a pre-1980 Orlik pipe, made before Cadogan Investments merged the make with various other Anglo-French companies.

The condition is very good. Some wear to the rim. Note that Orlik Hurricane models featured a stamped “H” on the pipe’s vulcanite stem, rather than the standard inlaid brass “O.” The stamp on this one appears to have been buffed off.

 

Details:

Length: 6″ / 152.4mm

Bowl Width: 0.88 / 22.35mm

Bowl Depth: 1.42″ / 36.06mm

Weight: 1.6oz / 48g