Pre-2003 Peterson Silver Mounted Army 407 Smooth Prince Estate Briar Pipe, Irish Estates

Description

Peterson pipes generally need no introduction, but just in case you’re unfamiliar: in 1876, a Latvian named Charles Peterson immigrated to Ireland and was hired making pipes in a workshop owned by Frederick and George Kapp. After rising through the ranks to become head craftsman, Peterson bought into the Kapp’s business, which was renamed, Kapp & Peterson (K&P). During this time, Peterson himself applied for several patents for pipe designs, including the world-famous Peterson’s System. Since then, Peterson has become one of the most recognizable names in pipe smoking and continues to produce high quality pipes from their headquarters in Dublin.

This Peterson is a beautifully-grained iteration of the make’s 407 prince shape. From the looks of it, this is an example of the Silver Mounted Army series, which like the Irish Made Army is a series of army-mounted pipes, but with sterling silver instead of the latter’s nickel and with higher-quality briar. Though the silver is hallmarked, I’ll admit that I did struggle to pinpoint the year of manufacture. I think the last mark is the “J” used for 1995, but the mark is slightly faded, so I can’t be 100% certain. What is certain is that the pipe is 2002 or prior, as the second mark is the “crowned harp” used by Peterson before it was swapped for a “.925” mark in 2003.

The condition is great. Some inner rim darkening, but the pipe does not seem to have been smoked much.

 

Details:

Length: 5.5″ / 139.7mm

Bowl Width: 0.77 / 19.55mm

Bowl Depth: 0.96″ / 24.38mm

Weight: 0.9oz / 26g