Elwood (Ferndown) Dan Pipe Xmas 1993 Estate Briar Pipe, English Estates, 9mm

Description

Les Wood and Dolly Wood both began their careers in pipes working for Dunhill, with Les working in the silver mounting department, and Dolly working in the finishing department. While at Dunhill, both learned the fundamentals of making pipes, and after marrying and leaving the company, the two began to create pipes of their own. This led to the creation of L&JS Briars and, ultimately, the “Ferndown” make. It didn’t take long for the Ferndown name to become associated with some of the best British handmade pipes around, but when Dan Pipe approached the Woods about importing their pipes to Germany, a problem arose. As Les told me (see the MBSD interview with him for more), Dan Pipe’s management thought that German speakers would be able to pronounce “Ferndown,” so “Elwood” was eventually settled on as a substitute.

I will always enjoy a pipe with a story behind it, not least because it gives me an opportunity to ask the maker—or, at least, someone more in the know than I am—what that story is. I’ve found that Les Wood is extremely generous whenever I have such a question, and this time was no different. His and Dolly’s Elwood pipes were very popular in Germany, so much so that, unlike in the rest of the world, Dan Pipe would commission the two to produce special, limited edition pipes every so often. There were several Elwood series of this kind, sometimes taking the form of the Dan Pipe Pipe of the Year, and other times as the Dan Pipe “Christmas Pipe.” This one, as Les told me, was the latter, made in 1993. While it is not quite as “festive” in design as, say, a Savinelli or Peterson, there is nonetheless something “Christmassy” about it. Perhaps it’s the panel bowl, which reminds me a little of baubles and other seasonal ornaments. Whatever the thinking behind it, it’s a beautiful pipe with great grain, as well as a sterling silver spigot turned by the master silversmith himself.

The condition is great. Some minor wear to the rim. As this is a German-market pipe, it is chambered for 9mm filters as standard, but should accommodate an adapter of some variety if non-filtered use is preferred.

 

Details:

Length: 6.4″ / 162.5mm

Bowl Width: 0.82 / 20.82mm

Bowl Depth: 1.59″ / 40.38mm

Weight: 2.1oz / 62g