Peterson Sherlock Holmes Squire w/ 9k Gold Smooth Bulldog Estate Briar Pipe, Unsmoked

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.

Since 1987, Peterson has celebrated the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and his superstar sleuth by way of the Sherlock Holmes series of Peterson pipes. This began with just one shape, a calabash now known as “The Original,” but has since evolved into a great variety of designs, each of which is inspired by, and takes its name from, Doyle’s famous detective stories. The Squire, also known as the XL15 was introduced in the first expansion of the Sherlock Holmes series, just a few years after the Original’s debut. Taking the form of a muscular bent bulldog, it was one of the many iconic shapes designed by Peterson’s master craftsman Paddy Larrigan.
In the decades since the Sherlock Holmes series was created and expanded, such pipes have been available in various finishes, though the rarest of the Sherlock Holmes pipes have had other distinguishing properties. Among the rarest of the Sherlock Holmes pipes are those mounted with solid gold, as seen on this one. While Sherlock Holmes pipes are ordinarily mounted with sterling silver, a select few have been upgraded to 9 karat gold, especially those with particularly superb grain patterns, as is the case with this one. This, of course, has always included a premium as far as prices are concerned, and even if this is not an issue, there is also the simple matter of luck to contend with. As they are not in standard production, gold-mounted Sherlock Holmes pipes require patience and the good fortune of finding a retailer that has one in stock. This can take years, or even decades but, again, as one can see here, they are certainly worth seeking out.

This one is completely unsmoked, with an original bowl coating. Slight handling marks.

Details:

Length: 5.6″ / 142.2mm

Bowl Width: 0.82″ / 20.82mm

Bowl Depth: 1.45″/ 36.83mm

Weight: 2.2oz / 64g