Astleys of London by Les Wood, Bent Billiard Estate Briar Pipe, Unsmoked [SOLD]

Description

Astleys was one of London’s most historic pipe and tobacco shops. Like many pipe tobacconists, its owners had pipes made specially to be sold under the shop’s name. Astleys pipes, however, were made by some of the premier pipe manufacturers and artisans in the UK, such as Dunhill, Charatan, Les Wood, and Ken Barnes and Barry Jones of James Upshall. As a result, Astleys pipes are prized for their quality, and as examples of the very finest British pipes.

With most Astleys pipes, it’s not possible to be 100% sure who made it. One can estimate based on the style or commonalities with certain makes’ shape charts, but these are nonetheless educated guesses. This one is different, as thanks to our industry connections, we were able to verify it as being made by Les and Dolly Wood of Ferndown pipes. And, as you’ll soon be able to read in an exclusive interview on our main hub, these pipes were simply Ferndowns that Paul Bentley personally picked to be sold under the Astleys name. So, what you’re looking at here is essentially a Ferndown Tudor Root bent billiard – and a beautiful one at that – that was stamped with the Astleys nomenclature and logo, instead of becoming a Ferndown proper.

And the best thing? This Ferndown-Astleys is completely unsmoked, and comes with its original box.

 

Details:

Length: 5.4″ / 137.1mm

Bowl Width: 0.77 / 19.55mm

Bowl Depth: 1.5″ / 38.10mm

Weight: 1.5oz / 44g