Peterson Premier System B42 “Darwin” Smooth Apple w/ Fishtail Stem 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.

Peterson’s shape B42 is a rather interesting one for several reasons. It is quite a recent shape, having debuted in 2009, on the 150th anniversary of the first publication of a little book called On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection. This timing was not mere coincidence; the shape was released to commemorate 150 years since Charles Darwin published his most famous book on evolutionary biology and indeed the former was given not only a number, but a name, the “Darwin.”

The B42 Darwin is by no means a common shape, especially relative to others in Peterson’s catalog. It is also one of the only shapes in Peterson’s System lines to have been available (at least, in the past), with a fishtail mouthpiece, rather than Peterson’s P-Lip. For background: a large number of Peterson pipes are System pipes, meaning they include the company’s patented moisture reservoir within the shank, as well as a special, narrow “P-Lip” mouthpiece with an upward-facing slot. Both the moisture reservoir and the P-Lip contribute to cooler, drier smokes, but they are not dependent on one another (many non-System Peterson pipes feature P-Lip stems, for instance). Nevertheless, whether it is the System Standard, the System Premier (seen here, with an additional sterling silver mount and alumninum condenser), or a Deluxe System, it has historically been normal practice for Peterson System pipes to include a P-Lip stem. Yet while many B42 Darwin System pipes have included P-Lip mouthpieces, some have not. Die-hard System fanatics may cry “heresy,” though, as someone who never really got on with P-Lips, I remember finding the fishtail option to be a welcome change of pace. If you’re anything like me, you probably will, too.

The condition is great. Minor inner rim darkening and slight handling marks.

Details:

Length: 6.2″ / 157.4mm

Bowl Width: 0.84 / 21.33mm

Bowl Depth: 1.58″ / 40.13mm

Weight: 2.9oz / 84g