Peterson (c.1980s) Galway 221 Smooth Bent 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.

As is not uncommon with factory makes, Peterson’s Galway line has changed several times since its debut in the 1950s. Currently, it is discontinued, but during its lifetime there were around 5 distinct iterations. Per Irwin & Malmberg, it was originally a smooth finished pipe with excellent grain, and an overall grade just below the Dublin & London (the latter of which Irwin has hypothesized as being an export version of the Supreme). The Galway was reissued several years later, this time sporting a sterling silver accent; in the late 1980s, the silver accent was switched out for a briar inlay in the base of the mouthpiece. The Galway was discontinued at the end of the 1980s, but returned in the mid-2000s as a partially rusticated pipe, before being reissued one last time, with the addition of another sterling silver accent. Looking at this one, it is quite plainly a late 1980s make. It is also quite plainly very beautiful with excellent grain. I’m not sure where it sat in Peterson’s grading system back when it was made, though had the same bowl been put to use today, I’d wonder whether it might make the cut for a Natural finish (or a Terracotta at the very least).

The condition is very good. Some darkening and finish fading on the rim and slight handling marks.

Details:

Length: 5.2″ / 132.0mm

Bowl Width: 0.74 / 18.79mm

Bowl Depth: 1.50″ / 38.1mm

Weight: 1.3oz / 38g