Peterson Antique Nickel Cap Natural 15 Smooth Billiard Estate Briar Pipe, Irish Estates

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.

The 21st century has seen Peterson thoroughly embracing the new, with novel shapes, lines, and finishes. But it’s also seen the company leaning into its 150+ year history, reviving design elements that had long been forgotten. In the case of this pipe, “forgotten” is an especially apt descriptor. In the 2010s, Peterson’s workers discovered boxes of nickel wind caps in the back rooms of its factory, dating to some of the earliest decades of Kapp & Peterson pipes. This was not an isolated incident, as something similar occurred with boxes of very old, amber mouthpieces, and in both instances, Peterson’s master craftsmen opted to put these materials to use once more. In the case of the latter, these became part of the Amber Spigot line; for the former, these were used for Peterson’s Antique Nickel Cap pipes. The release was extremely limited, with fewer than 300 Antique Nickel Caps reported to have been produced. This one is an especially beautiful example, dressed in Peterson’s high-end Natural finish, and mounted with a hinged nickel lid engraved with the original K&P nomenclature.

The condition is very good. Some rim darkening.

Details:

Length: 6.2″ / 157.4mm

Bowl Width: 0.75 / 19.05mm

Bowl Depth: 1.41″ / 35.81mm

Weight: 1.6oz / 48g