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 Dolly Wood of Ferndown, 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 very slender and lightweight rendition of the traditional bent billiard. Judging by the finish and the positioning of the nomenclature, I’d wager that this one was made by James Upshall. Either way, it’s a classy, easy clencher, and one that doesn’t sacrifice on chamber volume.

The condition is good. Some rim darkening and a little finish fading.

 

Details:

Length: 5.5″ / 139.7mm

Bowl Width: 0.73 / 18.54mm

Bowl Depth: 1.35″ / 34.29mm

Weight: 1.1oz / 34g