Peterson Kildare Partially Rusticated Bulldog Estate Briar Pipe, Irish Estates

Description

Peterson pipes generally need no introduction, but just in case you’re unfamiliar: in 1876, a Latvian named Charles Peterson immigrated to Ireland and was hired making pipes in a workshop owned by Frederick and George Kapp. After rising through the ranks to become head craftsman, Peterson bought into the Kapp’s business, which was renamed, Kapp & Peterson (K&P). During this time, Peterson himself applied for several patents for pipe designs, including the world-famous Peterson’s System. Since then, Peterson has become one of the most recognizable names in pipe smoking and continues to produce high quality pipes from their headquarters in Dublin.

This is the second mysterious Kildare I’ve had on my desk in the last few weeks, and it may well be even more mysterious than the last one. As a refresher, here’s the backstory on the Kildare: the Kildare series is one that has gone through numerous iterations since its debut in 1965. Those who are familiar with the contemporary iteration will know that this particular Kildare is a different animal entirely. While the contemporary Kildare is essentially a higher-grade variant on the Aran, including the Aran’s dark, red-brown stain, this one is a simpler, but no less beautiful design. This Kildare wears a light brown, natural stain, for example, that is more commonly seen today only on Peterson’s especially high-grade pipes, i.e., those with superlative grain. This one’s grain is indeed superior. The question, then, is of which iteration of the Kildare this one is. Mark Irwin & Gary Malmberg’s The Peterson Pipe Book claims four iterations: one a smooth matt finish (1965), one partially rusticated (1979), another smooth matt (2010), and the most recent being a burgundy finish (2011 onward; the aforementioned Aran variation).

So, what’s with this pipe? It’s partially rusticated, as with the circa 1979 Kildare, but the silver hallmarks, again per Mark Irwin’s research, indicate that it was manufactured in 2016. Perhaps someone will be able to chime in through our inbox and provide some much-needed information. For now, though, I’ll simply have to settle for it being a very uncommon – and very nice looking – Pete.

The condition is great. Some minor finish fading and slightly weakened stamping, but still perfectly legible.

 

Details:

Length: 5.5″ / 139.7mm

Bowl Width: 0.76 / 19.30mm

Bowl Depth: 1.43″ / 36.32mm

Weight: 1.5oz / 44g