Elwood (Ferndown) Rusticated Silver Spigot Dublin 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.

Much like the pipes Les and Dolly Wood made for Astleys, Elwood pipes are essentially Ferndown pipes by another name. This means that their finishes are equivalent to the latter and, even though they did not bear the equivalent stamping, the standard Ferndown terminology was used in Dan Pipe’s advertising. This pipe, for example, wears the signature Ferndown Bark rusticated finish, while also being a quite rare instance of an Antique Bark, which featured a light tan stain. In my experience, Elwood pipes tend to feature even more silverware than Ferndowns, which made them the jewel of the Dan Pipe catalogs for many years.This one sports a sterling silver spigot mount, turned, of course, by Les Wood himself, and a hand cut cumberland stem.

The condition is great. Some minor rim darkening. As a German market pipe, it is chambered for 9mm filters as standard, whether charcoal, meerschaum, or balsa. However, if preferred, it should accommodate a non-filter adapter of some variety.

 

Details:

Length: 5.7″ / 144.7mm

Bowl Width: 0.91 / 23.11mm

Bowl Depth: 1.87″ / 47.49mm

Weight: 1.7oz / 50g