Gigi Millennium Smooth Bent Billiard Estate Briar Pipe, Unsmoked, 9mm

Description

Gigi pipes occupy an interesting position in the history of Italian pipe-making. The story begins with the founding of Sociedade Rovera, a pipe-making company in Varese, Italy, by the Rovera family. As members of the Rovera family left to start their own ventures, the dynasty associated with the name would be split into several companies; Angelo Rovera created Ardor with his son Dorelio; Federico created Fe.Ro; Massimilliano created Mario Rovera; Fiorenzo created Gardenesa; and Giorgio created Giorgio Rovera, along with partners Angelo and Adele Bianchi. In 1964, Luigi Crugnola, nephew of the Bianchis, took over the Giorgio Rovera make and changed its name to his own – Gigi.

Having handled a few pipes from Gigi’s Millennium line, I’ve noticed that they’ve all been quite different, and none have had shape codes. The grain, as on this one, has also been very nice, leading me to believe this to be one of their hand made lines, like the Fiamma. In any case, this one is a classic bent billiard and light enough to be an easy hanger, with plenty of beautiful flame grain, as mentioned.

This Gigi is also completely unsmoked, with an original (though slightly flaked) bowl coating. It is chambered for 9mm filters as standard, but should accommodate a non-filter adapter of some variety if preferred.

 

Details:

Length: 5.5″ / 139.7mm

Bowl Width: 0.77 / 19.55mm

Bowl Depth: 1.63″ / 41.40mm

Weight: 1.5oz / 44g