Astleys Smooth Bent Rhodesian 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 an interesting hybrid of the Rhodesian and calabash shapes, as was quite common in English (and Irish) in the 20th century. It’s got a good sized bowl and a weight that should make it a comfortable hanger, along with a golden brown, chestnut stain.

The condition is very good. There’s a little rim darkening and perhaps one or two spots where the inner lip is slightly out of round, but these are minor cosmetic nitpicks.

 

Details:

Length: 5.6″ / 142.2mm

Bowl Width: 0.85 / 21.59mm

Bowl Depth: 1.58″ / 40.13mm

Weight: 1.8oz / 52g