Michel Smooth Bent Zulu Estate Briar Pipe, Unsmoked

Description

Michel pipes were store-brand pipes made for Maison Michel, a North Carolina (USA) tobacconist run by Michel J. Mitchell between 1951 and 1980. Over the years, several prominent pipe-makers made pipes for Maison Michel, such as Charatan, Barling, and others.

In the past I’ve handled a fair few Michel pipes that were made by Charatan. On the other hand, I’ve had pipes like this one come through that one helpful customer suggested was made by Barling. This one is certainly English made, as the stamping on its ebonite stem indicates, but beyond that I’m still not 100% sure. In any case, it’s a lovely, featherweight Zulu of the traditional variety, with a natural finish that highlights pleasant bird’s-eye patterns.

The pipe is also completely unsmoked, with an original bowl coating.

 

Details:

Length: 6″ / 152.4mm

Bowl Width: 0.75 / 19.05mm

Bowl Depth: 1.59″ / 40.38mm

Weight: 0.9oz / 28g