Dunhill 1935 A (Bruyere)104 Billiard w/ 14k Gold Estate Briar Pipe, English Estates

Description

To veteran pipe smokers, Dunhill needs no introduction. Beginning in 1907, Alfred Dunhill began selling Dunhill pipes at the tobacconist shop he owned on London’s Duke Street. Very quickly, these pipes gained the reputation of being the ‘Rolls-Royce’ of pipes due to how expertly crafted they were. Today, Dunhill is likely Britain’s most famous pipe manufacturer, and continues to produce some of the most treasured pipes a smoker can buy.

In the early days of Dunhill pipes, Alfred Dunhill did not have his Bruyere finish pipes marked as “Bruyere,” just as his Root Briar pipes were not stamped “Root Briar.” Instead, the Bruyeres were stamped “A”, or “A” next to a small indent, as seen here. Based on the patent and date code, this pipe will be from 1935, hence its “104” shape number and comparatively small, faded, trademark “White Spot” stem inlay. In regards to the shape, the 104 oval shank billiard design was an early one, and all but disappeared after the 1970s with the introduction (and then refinement) of the modern Dunhill shape code system; the stem inlay, on the other hand, is particularly interesting, as it is also quite alien to modern Dunhill stem production. Rather than white acrylic, as has been standard since the 1940s, the trademark inlay on this Dunhill’s vulcanite stem is made from celluloid, a precursor (much like Bakelite or Galalith) to such plastics. Hence, over time, it has faded to a dark, yellowish hue. One last thing to note about this Dunhill is its 14 karat, solid gold collar, mounted in-house by Dunhill themselves. Based on its positioning and “MR” engraving, this will have been added on special request for a customer, a service Dunhill used to offer (though at an understandably steep premium).

For a 90 year old pipe, the condition is quite remarkable. Some minor darkening, inner charring, and general wear to the rim, and a few small nicks and handling marks, but it is nevertheless quite clear that “MR” took good care of their pipes.

 

Details:

Length: 5.8″ / 147.3mm

Bowl Width: 0.79 / 20.06mm

Bowl Depth: 1.44″ / 36.57mm

Weight: 1.0oz / 30g