1965 Dunhill Tanshell CK Author Rhodesian 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 Tanshell line is one of the most sought after in the renowned make’s catalog. This is esepecially true for earlier iterations such as this one from 1965, in part due to the oil-curing process used during this time. Introduced in 1953, it features a sandblast finish much like the previously introduced Shell Briar line. Unlike the Shell Briar, however, the Tanshell underwent a secret process during production that bestowed its eponymous tan coloring; Tanshells during the 1950s and ’60s were also made from Sardinian briar, rather than the Algerian briar used for Dunhill’s other pipes. Over time, the virgin finish of the Tanshell colors to a sandy red hue, as this one has.

This particular Tanshell is rendered in the exceedingly rare “CK” author/Rhodesian shape, and furthermore shows off some especially fine ring grain sandblasting.

The condition is very good for the pipe’s age. There’s some rim darkening, including small two spots of char that have moved the lip of the chamber slightly out of round, but the pipe is nonetheless beautifully preserved.

Details:

Length: 5″ / 127.0mm

Bowl Width: 0.78 / 19.81mm

Bowl Depth: 1.19″ / 30.22mm

Weight: 1.5oz / 44g