Ashton 1992 Sovereign Straight Grain 3 Rhodesian w/ Gold Estate Briar Pipe, English Estates

Description

Ashton is an English pipe brand created by William Ashton Taylor, a former Dunhill pipe-maker who left Dunhill in the 1980s to make pipes under his own name. Along with other pipe-makers such as Ken Barnes and Barry Jones of James Upshall and Les Wood of Ferndown, Ashton emerged as part of a new wave of high end, hand made British pipes in the late 20th century.

Among Ashton’s smooth finish pipes, there is no higher accolade than the rare, “Straight Grain.” Similarly to Dunhill and its Dead Root pipes, Ashton’s Straight Grains exhibit the finest briar patterns to emerge from the workshop, with each receiving a further grade depending on just how good those patterns were. These grades ran from 1 (the lowest) to 5 (the highest), though grades above a 3 are practically mythical. This one is a highly commendable Straight Grain Grade 3, rendered in the form of a lightweight Rhodesian, and dressed in Ashton’s blonde Sovereign finish, as all Straight Grains were. The pipe is fitted with a cumberland Ashtonite stem and a solid gold band which, judging by the year this one was made, should be Les Wood’s (of Ferndown) handiwork. As a 1992 make, the pipe will also have been produced by, or under the close watch of, Bill Taylor.

The condition is great. Some very slight inner rim darkening and some residual oxidation on the stem.

 

Details:

Length: 5.4″ / 137.1mm

Bowl Width: 0.81 / 20.57mm

Bowl Depth: 1.14″ / 28.95mm

Weight: 1.4oz / 42g