Peterson Kapruf 155 Sandblasted Bulldog 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.

For a large chunk of the 20th century, the Kapruf was one of Peterson’s flagship sandblasted lines. The name itself is a nice little play on words; “Kap” for the Kapp brothers, and “Ruf” for the pipes’ rough, earthy texture. The line was introduced, per Irwin & Malmberg, in the early 1920s and discontinued at the end of the 1980s, though this one looks to be a midcentury make. The “MADE IN IRELAND” stamp was purportedly used until around 1970 on the Kapruf (again, per Irwin & Malmberg), and the shape is quite an old one. Known as both the “981” and the “155,” it’s a very classic bulldog rendition, with far more lightness and elegance than is typical for the shape (and for Peterson bulldogs today, having been discontinued long ago).

The condition is fair. Some rim charring, finish fading, and handling marks.

Details:

Length: 5.7″ / 144.7mm

Bowl Width: 0.79 / 20.06mm

Bowl Depth: 1.40″ / 35.56mm

Weight: 1.1oz / 34g