Dunhill 1973 Shell ODA 845 Sandblasted Canadian 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.

This particular Dunhill belongs to the rare, “OD” series. As historian John Loring recounts, post-war OD designs, such as this one, were distinct in shape and/or in size from Dunhill’s standard offerings. While the “84-” series was, as Loring also recounts, an expansion of what Dunhill termed their “semi-giants”, there’s certainly something to this one that is not reducible to size alone. It’s a distinct take on what could be considered a Canadian, with its long, oval shank, but the stem is far longer than those typical of the shape. In a way, it’s a little reminiscent of Danish design, given the central place of oval shanks in their neo-traditional renditions. Regardless, I think “semi-giant” is more than appropriate, as this is indeed a very large Dunhill.

The condition is fair. Darkening and a spot of charring on the rim, some general finish fading, and slightly faded, though legible, stamping.

 

Details:

Length: 6.8″ / 172.7mm

Bowl Width: 0.86 / 21.84mm

Bowl Depth: 1.84″ / 46.73mm

Weight: 1.6oz / 48g