GBD Sierra 1350 Rusticated Cutty Bent Estate Briar Pipe, French Estates

Description

GBD was one of several prominent examples of a French pipe brand that, due to certain circumstances, became a maker most associated with classic ‘British’ pipes. Founded in 1850 by the French trio Ganneval, Bondier & Donninger, the brand was bought by English company Oppenheimer at the beginning of the 20th century, who opened factories in London and Paris to meet an increasing demand for the make’s high-quality and highly desirable pipes. Partly owing to the make’s inventive, yet traditional shapes, and partly due to the high standards of their production, GBD pipes are particularly coveted by collectors, as well as those who simply appreciate classic, well-made smoking instruments.

Traditional pipe makes are not associated with the same variety of designs as, for example, their modern workshop or artisan counterparts. But GBD was always a little different in that regard, with so many shapes across their historical catalog that I’m frequently surprised by one I’ve never handled before. I’ve categorized this one as a Cutty, owing to the shallow C-curve that follows from button to base, as well as its relatively diminutive proportions, but a Cutty doesn’t normally have the saddle stem this one does. It’s a unique pipe, for sure, made even more so by the knotty, cratered rustication it wears.

The condition is reasonably good. The pipe certainly looks to be a pre-1980 make, i.e., before GBD’s merger with Cadogan Investments. There’s some rim darkening, especially at the back, and what look to be a few handling marks on the pipe’s exterior, though this could also simply be the natural look of the pipe’s rustic finish. The stem is great.

Details:

Length: 5.8″ / 147.3mm

Bowl Width: 0.77 / 19.55mm

Bowl Depth: 1.41″ / 35.81mm

Weight: 0.9oz / 26g