Custom-Bilt Mincer Era XL Rusticated Filter Billiard Estate Briar Pipe,

Description

Custom-Bilt pipes were originally created in the early 20th century by Tracy Mincer, an American pipe-maker. Later adopting the slogan, ‘As Individual as a Thumbprint,’ Custom-Bilts were each rusticated by hand, giving them their signature rugged look, and ensuring that no two Custom-Bilts were exactly alike. Today, these pipes are prized by collectors, pipe history enthusiasts, and those who generally appreciate a well-made smoking machine.

Custom-Bilt pipes are known both for their uniqueness and for their distinct, “burrowing” rustication that moves, here and there, around the bowl’s exterior. Yet I don’t think I’ve seen an example so thoroughly rusticated as this one. In fact, it almost reminds me of Castello’s very early Sea Rock finish, which was not nearly as finely carved as today’s renditions. Other distinctions include the pipe’s size, as while Custom-Bilt pipes were not typically small, they were rarely 7 inches long, as this one is. It also has an integral, reverse tenon, chambered to fit Tracy Mincer’s own, patented filters (essentially curled pipe cleaners). As such, one might say that this Custom-Bilt is even more individual than a thumb print. As an extra note, while it is difficult to date Custom-Bilts precisely, this pipe, stamped ‘Custom-Bilt’ in cursive on the shank, would appear to have been made between 1934 and 1946 (after which the name was changed to Custombilt and production was partially bought-out by Eugene Rich). It also features a star stamp, though I’ve never been able to fully confirm what that means.

The condition is great for a pipe that’s almost a century old. Some finish fading

 

Details:

Length: 7″ / 177.8mm

Bowl Width: 0.99 / 25.14mm

Bowl Depth: 1.70″ / 43.18mm

Weight: 2.3oz / 66g