1978 Dunhill Bruyere 41111 14K Gold Band Lovat 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.

While Dunhill long ago cemented its name as a purveyor of luxury smoking instruments, as far as I recall, it was not until the arrival of the Dress finish in 1979 that Dunhill had a series of pipes that were all silver mounted. Prior to this series, silver mounted pipes were not especially common, and those that were made commanded a hefty premium as far as prices go. Silver mounted series today, such as the Dress and the Ruby Bark, are similarly pricier than their non-mounted sister series, and are similarly coveted. Gold, on the other hand, has never been part of a regularly-produced series, being used on rare occasions and largely being reserved for extra special pipes. Per Dunhill, these pipes were considered ideal “gifts” for “anniversaries or presentations” (I presume the latter meant awards). It’s nice, then, to have one of these extra special Dunhills land on my desk – albeit fleetingly, if previous sales are anything to go by.

The condition is great. Some very minor darkening and finish fading on the rim.

 

Details:

Length: 5″ / 127.0mm

Bowl Width: 0.81 / 20.57mm

Bowl Depth: 1.32″ / 33.52mm

Weight: 0.9oz / 26g