Astleys of London Smooth Rhodesian Churchwarden Estate Briar Pipe [SOLD OUT]

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.

As an avid fan of Astleys pipes, I’ve seen (and I own) a fair few, but this one is very interesting, even to me. One could call it, as we have here, a churchwarden-length Rhodesian, given the basic design elements, but it also reminded me of something else – a clay pipe. Though this one is made of briar and vulcanite, the proportions and general shape call to mind the clay tavern pipes that were smoked hundreds of years ago, before briar had been discovered. I suppose you could call the design ultra-traditional.

Unlike most clay pipes (many of which ended their lives tossed into the nearest river) this Astleys, is however, exceedingly well preserved. The finish on the rim is a tad faded, but other than that it’s pristine. Quite remarkable, really.

 

Details:

Length: 10.5″

Bowl Width: 17.0mm

Bowl Depth: 1.5″

Weight: 0.8oz / 25g