Dunhill 1994 Russet 3103 Spigot Billiard 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.

Among all of the finishes in Dunhill’s history, the Russet is among the shortest-lived. Made only from 1988 to 2000, it was ultimately discontinued for not meeting sales targets—though if you’re familiar with the pipe industry and indeed the wider economy of the time, you’ll know that the market was turbulent and unforgiving for just about everyone. In more recent years, the Russet has seen an uptick in interest, in part due to its rarity, and in part due to being very beautiful pipes. This one, with its stain perhaps being closest to a smooth version of the County, shows off some extraordinary bird’s-eye patterns, which I presume is why it was also given the honor of a sterling silver spigot mount.

The condition is good. Some wear to the rim and slight finish fading, and a chamber that is possibly slightly over-reamed. Nothing major though.

 

Details:

Length: 5.5″ / 139.7mm

Bowl Width: 0.84 / 21.33mm

Bowl Depth: 1.4″ / 35.56mm

Weight: 1.1oz / 34g