Barling’s Make T.V.F 5781 Transition Era Smooth Bulldog Estate Briar Pipe, English Estates

Description

Barling and Sons was originally founded in 1812 by Benjamin Barling and began as a family business making silver-adorned meerschaum pipes. In the early 20th century, however, the Barling family began to produce what the brand is today most famous for – expertly made briar pipes.

This particular Barling comes from a much-debated period in the history of the make. Unlike many cases where a pipe company is sold off to a new owner, the production of Barling pipes was still managed by the same individuals after B. Barling and Sons was purchased by Finlay & Co—including, and most crucially, the Barling family themselves. This is one of the reasons that this period is known as the “transition era,” sitting between the pre-1960 “family era” and the “post-transition era” beginning around 1962/3. Pipe historians such as Jonathan Guss and Jesse Silver are good sources for further information on Barling. In terms of the pipe you see here, it is a classic English bulldog from one of the classic English pipe companies, made during a time when its most revered figures were still crafting the pipes themselves.

The condition is great. Some inner rim darkening, but nonetheless really good for a 60+ year old piece.

 

Details:

Length: 5.8″ / 147.3mm

Bowl Width: 0.83 / 21.08mm

Bowl Depth: 1.10″ / 27.94mm

Weight: 1.1oz / 34g