WDC Sterling Hand Made Army Mount Billiard Estate Briar Pipe, American Estates

Description

The William Demuth Company, otherwise known as WDC, was established in 1862 by German-born American William Demuth, and survived as a mainstay brand in the United States until the 1970s. It would not be inappropriate to call such pipes ‘presidential,’ given that, owing initially to Demuth’s friendship with US president James Garfield, WDC pipes became an inauguration gift and fixture in the oval office for every president from Garfield to Hoover.

WDC’s Sterling line featured, as one can imagine, sterling silver mounts, with four possible grades available at four corresponding price points. These grades were, in ascending order, the Brighton, the Windsor, the Stratford, and the Hand Made. This Dublin happens to be an example of the latter and it is not difficult to see why. Judging by the style of the button and what appears to be a bone condenser, the pipe looks to be around 100 years old, and yet, especially compared to pipes from that period, the briar is excellent, and simply loaded with bird’s-eye patterns. It’s a very elegant piece, with slender, featherweight proportions similarly reflective of the time, though the chamber is still a good size for a reasonable smoke.

The condition is great. Aside from a couple of very small, superficial scratches and very slight, inner rim darkening, but pipe is in remarkable condition, especially for its age.

 

Details:

Length: 5.5″ / 139.7mm

Bowl Width: 0.78 / 19.81mm

Bowl Depth: 1.41″ / 35.81mm

Weight: 0.9oz / 28g