Rattray Perth Smooth Canadian Estate Briar Pipe [SOLD OUT]

Description

The House of Rattray was originally a tobacconist, opening in Perth, Scotland, in 1903, under the oversight of Charles Rattray. House of Rattray soon became a blending house (whose blends are still sold to this day under the Rattray’s name) and a purveyor of Rattray-brand pipes, made for the tobacconist by established English pipe makers. Over the years, the name changed hands, with contemporary Rattray’s pipes and tobaccos being produced under the umbrella of German’s Kopp company (formerly Kolhase & Kopp). Pipes from this period of manufacture were sourced from major European makers, such as Chacom and Butz-Choquin in France and Brebbia and L’anatra in Italy.

This particular Rattray is an odd one. I think it might just be something quite special. Let me tell you why.

Modern Rattray’s pipes have a very modern feel to them. They’re rarely simple in design and, as is common in Germany, are often colorful, decorative, and of course fitted for 9mm filters. They’re also all stamped Rattray’s, with the line of pipe also stamped somewhere on the stummel. This pipe is simple – very traditional and English in design – and is stamped with only the words RATTRAY – PERTH. Now, there is a modern line of Rattray’s pipes called Old Perth, but those look nothing like this one.

What do I think this means? I think – and this is only a hypothesis as information on Rattray’s pipes is notoriously difficult to find – that this Rattray is not from the modern manufacture. Instead, I think this pipe is from House of Rattray, with the ‘Perth’ nomenclature signalling the location of the tobacconist, rather than a specific line of pipes. If I’m correct, that would make this pipe a real rarity – a Scottish, rather than German, Rattray pipe.

As for the pipe itself, it’s a real classic. A Canadian in the English-French style, it has plenty of lovely straight grain around the bowl which is brought out by a simple, golden-brown stain. There are some minor handling marks and a little fading of finish on the rim, but otherwise this pipe is not to be missed. If I’m right about the provenance, it would be only two that I’ve ever seen before and the only one I’ve ever had the chance to see up close.

 

Details:

Length: 5″

Bowl Width: 19.4mm

Bowl Depth: 1.6″

Weight: 1.0oz / 29g