Stanwell (c. 1980s-90s) Brass Band 156 Sandblasted Bulldog (Estate)

Stanwell is one of Denmark’s most celebrated and enduring pipe companies, having been founded by Poul Nielsen shortly after the second world war. Over the last six decades, Stanwell has established itself as both a leader in innovative Danish design and for producing well-priced pipes with precision construction and engineering. Many of its designs were created for the company by iconic pipe-makers in the Scandinavian scene, such as Sixten Ivarsson, Anne Julie, Jess Chonowitsch, and Tom Eltang.

Stanwell’s Brass Band line looks to have been introduced around the mid-1980s to early 1990s, back when the company was increasing its high-end output through the use of variously accented designs. As one might expect, each pipe in the Brass Band line was accented with brass, in the form of two bands at the shank end, with another accent of cumberland sandwiched between them. This one takes the form of a personal favorite shape of mine, the “156,” a supple bulldog rendition with a Zulu-like curvature, which was designed for Stanwell by the late Jess Chonowitsch around the early 1980s. Unfortunately, both the Brass Band and the “156” have long been out of production, which makes this one’s appearance yet another rare treat as far as Stanwell pipes are concerned. Based on the nomenclature, stem logo, and ebonite mouthpiece, this pipe will have been made before 1998, at some point earlier in that decade, or later into the one preceding it.

The condition is good. Some rim charring and minor finish fading.

Details:

Length: 5.8″ / 147.3mm

Bowl Width: 0.81 / 20.57mm

Bowl Depth: 1.42″ / 36.06mm

Weight: 1.9oz / 54g