WDC Sterling Hand Made Smooth Army Mount Dublin 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 loaded with bird’s-eye patterns and doesn’t appear to have a single fill. 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 genuinely remarkable. Some very minor inner rim charring and slight handling marks, but otherwise it is wonderfully preserved.

 

Details:

Length: 5.8″ / 147.3mm

Bowl Width: 0.80 / 20.32mm

Bowl Depth: 1.53″ / 38.86mm

Weight: 0.8oz / 24g