2002 Dunhill Ring Grain 4203 Saddle Billiard 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’s history with distinctly deep and craggy sandblasts extends all the way back to the invention of sandblasting in the early 20th century, the make’s first explicit designations for superior finishes of this kind emerged in the 1980s. Beginning in 1986, Shell Briar pipes that had especially uniform, horizontal ring grain emerge from the sandblasting process were given a special designation – Ring Grain – and a premium status in Dunhill’s pricing system. As can be seen in the photos of this one, the blast really is exquisite, both in look and feel. And, being a Dunhill, the pipe has the added bonus of being very lightweight, at just 36 grams, making it an ideal clencher.

The condition is very good. Some rim darkening, and a slightly over-reamed chamber.

 

Details:

Length: 5.6″ / 142.2mm

Bowl Width: 0.79 / 20.06mm

Bowl Depth: 1.42″ / 36.06mm

Weight: 1.2oz / 36g