Peterson (c.1945-63) Donegal Rocky 53 EX Rusticated Lovat w/ Silver Estate Briar Pipe, Irish Estates

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.

First debuting in 1945, the “Donegal” Rocky has always been something of an “entry level” Peterson pipe, though the bar for such an entry has—as with so many makes—shifted in the 70 years or so. In other words, an “entry level” pipe from several decades ago may well be a cut above other pipes so-called in the contemporary or, in some instances, the bar might be lower. In the case of the Donegal Rocky, one might say the line’s quality has fluctuated a tad since its introduction. At the very least, the materials used in its construction have differed with the times.

This particular example is a very unusual one, especially compared to the pipes that bear that name today. For one, the pipe was made not in Ireland, but England, during a time when Peterson operated factories in both Dublin and London. This pipe will have been principally manufactured in the latter, and is stamped as such. As the London factory is said to have closed down in late 1963, that would mean that this pipe was made at some point between the Donegal Rocky’s debut, in 1945, and the London factory’s closing, in 1963.
Another interesting facet about this Donegal Rocky is its metal mount, which is not the nickel mounted as standard today, but sterling silver. The last few decades has seen Kapp & Peterson vacillate between nickel and silver mounts for the Donegal Rocky, but from its debut to the late 1970s, all such pipes had sterling silver collars. This one also features an aluminum stinger, which was similarly standard at points in the early history of the Donegal Rocky. I did not note any date letters stamped on the silver itself in this instance, though this is far from uncommon for Peterson pipes made back when this one was.

The last notable thing about this pipe is the shape. It is a classic Lovat, one whose contemporary analog is the “53,” which is a staple in Peterson’s catalog. Yet this one is marked as “53 EX.”, suggesting an “extra large” stature. I’m a little puzzled by this suffix, though the pipe is indeed larger than a typical “53” Lovat, which may well be the reason it was appended that way. On the other hand, it may also simply point to an earlier date of manufacture, as while we today would look at this pipe as being relatively small, “large” is, like “entry level,” a notion that is prone to changing significantly with the times.

The condition is very good. Some finish fading and handling marks.

Details:

Length: 5.5″ / 139.7mm

Bowl Width: 0.78 / 19.81mm

Bowl Depth: 1.57″ / 39.87mm

Weight: 1.1oz / 34g