Charatan’s Make Perfection 371DC Smooth Bell Dublin Estate Briar Pipe, English Estates

Description

While Dunhill may be Britain’s most famous pipe brand, Charatan is not only older, but has the honor of being the first to have made its pipes entirely in-house. ‘Charatan’s Make’ referred to the fact that, at a time when other pipe companies were sourcing stummels and stems carved from other companies before assembling them in their factories and workshops, Charatan made every part of their pipes on the Charatan premises. So began a legacy of high-quality pipe-making under the Charatan name, one whose employees, at one time or another, included Joel Sasieni, and Ken Barnes and Barry Jones of James Upshall fame.

I’ve said it before, but there is just something about the Lane era Perfection grade pipes I’ve always been attracted to. I think it’s the stain; it’s that golden contrast kind of approach that’s seen, with some differences, on pipes ranging from BBB’s Tortoise to the eponymous Stanwell series. It’s like caramelized brown sugar, but a dark sugar, such as the muscovado variety. This Perfection is rendered as the shape 371, and based on the stamping, stem logo, and stem design, this should be a “first Lane era” Perfection, from 1961-1965. As for why the “CHARATAN’S MAKE” part of the stamping has been crossed out, it is hypothesized that this was either used for store sample pipes (so that they could not be sold), or for pipes replaced by Charatan’s warranty program (so that they not be submitted for a second replacement).

The condition is excellent. I note no issues, but please consult the photos in case I have missed anything.

 

Details:

Length: 6.6″ / 167.6mm

Bowl Width: 0.76 / 19.30mm

Bowl Depth: 1.67″ / 42.41mm

Weight: 1.5oz / 44g