Family Era Barling’s Make Ye Olde Wood EXEXEL 313 T.V.F Pot Estate Briar Pipe, English Estates

Description

Barling and Sons was originally founded in 1812 by Benjamin Barling and began as a family business making silver-adorned meerschaum pipes. In the early 20th century, however, the Barling family began to produce what the brand is today most famous for – expertly made briar pipes.

As we discuss in our Barling pipes dating guide on the main MBSD hub (with acknowledgements due for the research of historians Richard Carleton Hacker, Tad Gage, Jesse Silver, and Jonathan Guss), so-called “Family Era” Barling pipes, such as this one, are highly coveted by collectors. This is owing to their being made by the Barling family prior to the make’s acquisition by Imperial Tobacco Group, and Imperial’s decision to fire the family from the Barling factory. And, as is covered in the guide, there are ways to readily identify Barling pipes from this era. The arched “Barling’s” over “Make” nomenclature is one tell, and if a shape code is present, that will typically seal it. As this particular Barling has a three-digit shape code, it is a Family Era pipe, and a beautiful one at that. I’m most used to seeing Barling pipes in a more reddish-brown stain, but this one is dressed in a natural finish comparable to Dunhill’s Root. I assume the rationale behind this choice was much the same – excellent grain.

The condition is excellent too. Despite its considerable age, there is little beyond some very minor, inner rim darkening to suggest its historic stature.

https://www.mbsdpipes.com/dating-barling-pipes-a-three-step-guide/

 

Details:

Length: 6.5″ / 165.1mm

Bowl Width: 1.12 / 28.44mm

Bowl Depth: 1.35″ / 34.29mm

Weight: 1.8oz / 52g