Peterson 1980 Gold Spigot 03S Smooth Apple Estate Briar Pipe, Unsmoked

Description

Peterson pipes generally need no introduction, but just in case you’re unfamiliar: in 1876, a Latvian named Charles Peterson immigrated to Ireland and was hired making pipes in a workshop owned by Frederick and George Kapp. After rising through the ranks to become head craftsman, Peterson bought into the Kapp’s business, which was renamed, Kapp & Peterson (K&P). During this time, Peterson himself applied for several patents for pipe designs, including the world-famous Peterson’s System. Since then, Peterson has become one of the most recognizable names in pipe smoking and continues to produce high quality pipes from their headquarters in Dublin.

Peterson produces a wide variety of high-end pipes, but there are few in the make’s portfolio quite as high-end as the Gold Spigot. Not only are such pipes fitted with spigot mounts turned from 9 karat solid gold, but the bowls used to make them are carefully selected from choice, flawless briar, which is draped in a light, natural finish that allows said briar to shine almost as brightly as the gold itself. As such, the Gold Spigot has always been a rare pipe in Peterson’s output and is, consequently, a proverbial “white whale” for many a collector. This one comes from all the way back in 1980, taking the form of a classic apple rendition whose surface is covered in almost its entirety by billowing bird’s-eye grain.

This pipe is completely unsmoked. I note a very small blemish on the left side of the bowl, though nothing major.

Details:

Length: 5.5″ / 139.7mm

Bowl Width: 0.74 / 18.79mm

Bowl Depth: 1.20″ / 30.48mm

Weight: 1.4oz / 42g