Peterson Pre-Republic (c.1947-9) 2 Magnum Smooth Bent 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 history of Peterson’s oversized pipes spans well over a century, though the names these pipes have gone by has changed several times in the many decades since their inception. Even more confusingly, these pipes have often not been explicitly stamped as such, making them rather hard to trace. Late 19th and early 20th centry iterations were typically marked with an “O,” for “Oversize”; the later 20th century, on the other hand, had the Giant, the House Pipe, and various, limited production pieces handmade by Peterson’s master craftsmen; the 21st century saw the continuation of the House Pipe series, as well as its extension via the Pub Pipe. So, what about this one? On that, I’m not entirely sure. It is certainly an exceptionally large pipe, of magnum—if not, mini-magnum, or pocket magnum—proportions—and looks to have been part of Peterson’s non-System Classic series in terms of style. As it is a late pre-Republic piece from the end of the 1940s, it would be anachronistic to classify it as “Giant,” as Mark Irwin’s research indicates that the “Giant” nomenclature was not introduced until the 1970s. Stylistically, however, the 1970s Giant Smooth is its closest relative. Funnily enough, Irwin’s research also indicates that it took a fair bit of time for Peterson’s later 20th century magnum pipes to find their market, though from this one it seems that at least some form of demand existed long before then—trends come and go, I suppose.

The condition is good. Some rim darkening, a couple of slight scratches on the bowl, and stem slightly over-buffed at the base.

Details:

Length: 7.7″ / 195.5mm

Bowl Width: 1.09 / 27.68mm

Bowl Depth: 1.96″ / 49.78mm

Weight: 3.1oz / 90g