Peterson Pre-Republic Kapet 949 w/ Silver Smooth Oval Shank 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.

Debuting around 1925, Peterson’s Kapet has a good deal of history behind it, though has had a habit of disappearing and reappearing, and doing so in rather different guises. It has been described, such as by Peterson historian Mark Irwin, as “entry level” pipe as far as grade goes, though the various historical iterations of the Kapet, along with the various finishes and accoutrements that accompanied them, are worth pointing out. Very early Kapets, for example, wore a smooth plum finish and were touted as being made from especially old briar; more recently, they were reissued in a tree bark rustication, though those too are, seemingly, no longer in production. This Kapet, on the other hand, is a little different to either. Based on the block-letter “Made in Ireland” nomenclature, this one was made in the 1940s, prior to the formation of the Irish Republic as it exists today. The finish is a natural variant, and the pipe is mounted with Peterson’s signature sterling silverware (sans a date letter, as was standard during the time). Perhaps most interesting about this Kapet is the shape: the “949” oval shank billiard which, again per Irwin, hasn’t been in production since the 1940s—the very same decade this pipe was made.

The condition is good, especially for an 80 year old pipe. Chamber slightly over-reamed and some slight charring on the inner lip, minor handling marks, and minor tooth chatter.

Details:

Length: 6″ / 152.4mm

Bowl Width: 0.80 / 20.32mm

Bowl Depth: 1.53″ / 38.86mm

Weight: 1.4oz / 40g