Peterson (c.1945-63) Donegal Rocky 999 Rusticated Bullmoose Rhodesian 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.

As with another Donegal Rocky we had come through recently, this is a rather unusual example of that historic Peterson line. 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, however, was made back when silver was the norm, creating a great contrast with what is perhaps the rockiest Donegal Rocky rustication to date.

Finally, the shape taken on by this Donegal Rocky is also out of the ordinary. It is the famous shape “999” Rhodesian, which Peterson dubbed the “John Bull,” though those with a keen eye for the “999” will note that it looks very different to just about every example of the shape made by Peterson in the last half-century. Broader and stubbier than its later counterparts, the shape is, oddly enough, closer to an author than a Rhodesian typically understood, and even lacks the latter’s hallmark bead-lines, though the overall figure is perhaps best described as a “bullmoose.” Whether the midcentury style of the “999” is the “same shape” as the more recent one is a matter for philosophers to quibble over; what’s certain, however, is that the “999” has not looked quite like this in a long time.

The condition is good. Some inner rim darkening and general finish fading.

Details:

Length: 5.5″ / 139.7mm

Bowl Width: 0.81 / 20.57mm

Bowl Depth: 1.24″ / 31.49mm

Weight: 1.9oz / 54g