Astleys Rusticated Bent Billiard Estate Briar Pipe, English Estates

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.

This particular Astleys is a classic bent billiard shape, one whose long, swan neck and bulbous bowl has it look almost like Dunhill’s mythical “LC” shape. Though I can’t be 100% sure, based on the rustication and shaping, I’d estimate that this was made for Astleys by James Upshall.

The condition is very good. There’s some darkening on the rim and a little finish fading on the bowl.

 

Details:

Length: 5.6″ / 142.2mm

Bowl Width: 0.75 / 19.05mm

Bowl Depth: 1.61″ / 40.89mm

Weight: 1.6oz / 48g