1935 Dunhill Shell 56 Vernon Patent Bent Billiard Estate Briar Pipe, English Estates

Description

To veteran pipe smokers, Dunhill needs no introduction. Beginning in 1907, Alfred Dunhill began selling Dunhill pipes at the tobacconist shop he owned on London’s Duke Street. Very quickly, these pipes gained the reputation of being the ‘Rolls-Royce’ of pipes due to how expertly crafted they were. Today, Dunhill is likely Britain’s most famous pipe manufacturer, and continues to produce some of the most treasured pipes a smoker can buy.

Dunhill’s “patent era” pipes, i.e., those made, depending on the model, at some point up until the mid-1950s hold a special place in the hearts of Dunhill and English pipe collectors. This is a patent-era pipe, but even compared to other pipes made during those decades, it is very uncommon and very unique. As can be seen from the attached pictures, that’s because this Dunhill has a very odd tenon. Instead of the push-fit tenon systems that have since become, for most pipes, manufacturing standards, this one has a metal “snap on” fitment within the shank, to which the stem is attached (alternative Vernon patent models also had the inverse, where the fitment was attached to the stem). Judging by the stamping, this one is from 1935, and displays the wonderfully craggy sandblasting associated with Dunhills and other classic English makes of that era.

The condition is good for the pipe’s age. The rim has some darkening and a couple of patches of char, and the pipe does have its share of handling marks from over the decades, but I imagine collectors will be willing to put these imperfections aside for a pipe such as this one.

 

Details:

Length: 5.2″ / 132.0mm

Bowl Width: 0.76 / 19.30mm

Bowl Depth: 1.55″ / 39.37mm

Weight: 1.4oz / 40g