Chacom Etoile 101 Smooth Bent Billiard Estate Briar Pipe, French Estates

Description

Chacom is one of France’s most historic and iconic makes. Its founders, the Comoy family, began their career as boxwood pipe-makers in the early 1800s, before briar had even been discovered, with Henri Comoy (of Comoy’s fame) emigrating to England in 1879 and founding the country’s first briar pipe factory. In 1922, Henri and his nephews, the Chapuis, founded the Chapuis Comoy pipe factory in Saint-Claude, France, which shortly after began producing pipes bearing the partnered families’ names – ‘Cha’ for Chapuis, and ‘Com’ for Comoy. Chacom has been the biggest name in French pipes ever since.

Taking its name from the French word for “star,” Chacom’s Etoile line has undergone a number of design changes since its mid-century debut. This iteration is undoubtedly my favorite, however. The main reason for that is the finish used. As seen on this pipe, the contrast stain is a beautiful mixture of shades of dark brown, with an appearance reminiscent of caramelized muscovado sugar. This is offset nicely by a simple white band between the bowl and the pipe’s black ebonite stem. It’s a real shame that this version of the Etoile hasn’t been in production for a long time.

The condition is fair. A few small dents around the bowl and minor rim wear.

 

Details:

Length: 5.6″ / 132.0mm

Bowl Width: 0.81 / 20.57mm

Bowl Depth: 1.49″ / 37.84mm

Weight: 1.6oz / 48g