Astleys of London Smooth Straight Apple Estate Briar Pipe [SOLD OUT]

Description

Astleys was one of London’s most historic pipe and tobacco shops. Like many pipe tobacconists, its owners had pipes made specially to be sold under the shop’s name. Astleys pipes, however, were made by some of the premier pipe manufacturers and artisans in the UK, such as Dunhill, Charatan, Les Wood, and Ken Barnes and Barry Jones of James Upshall. As a result, Astleys pipes are prized for their quality, and as examples of the very finest British pipes.

I can’t say for certain, but I have a hunch this Astleys might have been made by Barry and Ken at James Upshall. It’s fairly large – nearly 6 and a half inches in length – and the size and proportions don’t match up with Dunhill’s or Charatan’s shape charts from the period. It also wears a tan stain quite reminiscent of Upshall’s ‘P’ grade pipes. Anyway, it’s a lovely, long, saddle apple shape, though one that isn’t too unwieldy or heavy, likely due to the high grade briar used.

The condition is near mint. It is superbly preserved. If my hunch is right and it is an Upshall make, then it would be classed as a hand made pipe. As I can’t be certain, I’m classifying it otherwise.

 

Details:

Length: 6.3″ / 160.0mm

Bowl Width: 0.79 / 20.06mm

Bowl Depth: 1.45″ / 36.83mm

Weight: 1.6oz / 48g