Savinelli Capri Root Briar 514 Rusticated Bulldog Estate Briar Pipe, Italian Estates

Description

It is probably fair to say that Savinelli is Italy’s most famous pipe brand. Founded in Milan in 1876 by Achille Savinelli, the brand has continuously offered high quality pipes for nearly 150 years. Though various Savinelli lines have come and gone over the years, the brand has always been notable for putting out classically styled pipes with a distinctly Italian twist.

Aside from a recent, limited edition release, the Capri is a series of Savinelli pipes that has been out of production for a good, long time. It was, however, a staple in the make’s output during the second half of the 20th century. Capitalizing on the emerging Italian trend of high-end, rusticated finishes, the Capri was Savinelli’s equivalent of a Castello Sea Rock Briar, for example, and, like the Sea Rock Briar, the Capri finish was applied to various lines (including the Golden Burl, the Bruna, and Punto Oro Corallo). Being Savinelli, of course, the overall designs were much more in the company’s house style than their competitors. Thus this brick-red Capri Root Briar takes the form of one of Savinelli’s distinctive, older bulldog renditions, the “514.” While the shape itself is all but discontinued now (appearing only in a select few, special releases and legacy stock lines), the “514” is a very interesting take on the Anglo-French staple, with a slender figure, an unconventionally long shank, and a very subtle bend to its figure.

The condition is great. Some minor darkening and finish fading on the rim. Note that this pipe comes with two mouthpieces, one being the original vulcanite the another being an after-market, professionally made acrylic one. There’s nothing wrong with either—the previous owner simply had custom acrylic mouthpieces made for every pipe he owned. I have not factored it into the price of the pipe, so consider it a freebie.

Details:

Length: 5.9″ / 149.8mm

Bowl Width: 0.78 / 19.81mm

Bowl Depth: 1.46″ / 37.08mm

Weight: 1.4oz / 40g