2008 Dunhill Ruby Bark 5103 Sandblasted 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.

The successor to Dunhill’s Red Bark series, the Ruby Bark continued Dunhill’s use of a ruby red sandblast finish from the former with some additional design elements, lending it an extra air of distinction. The most obvious of these is the silver collar the Ruby Bark wears, but a more subtle addition is the highly traditional, beveled rim each features, reminiscent of a more classic mid-century style. This particular Ruby Bark is a group 5 size, so on the larger end of Dunhill’s typical output, with a ring grain sandblast so good I’m a little surprised that the stummel wasn’t reassigned to Dunhill’s dedicated Ring Grain series. I’m not complaining, however, as it might just look even better as a Ruby Bark.

The condition is great. Some minor, inner rim darkening, but the pipe does not appear to have been smoked much by its single, previous owner, who sent it to us via our trade-in program. The pipe also comes with its original box and sleeve.

 

Details:

Length: 6″ / 152.4mm

Bowl Width: 0.78 / 19.81mm

Bowl Depth: 1.5″ / 38.10mm

Weight: 1.9oz / 54g