S Bang Kobenhavn Ulf Noltensmeier B Grade Cobra Estate Briar Pipe, Danish Estates

Description

Originally founded in 1968 by Svend Bang, a former store manager at Denmark’s legendary W.Ø. Larsen, S. Bang would go on to become a legend in its own right, one that would rival even Larsen in fame and acclaim. While Svend himself was not a pipe-maker, he was able to enlist some of the most talented pipe-makers in Denmark to create the S. Bang pipes. In the early days, this included figures such as Ph. Vigen, but it is two makers in particular who would become synonymous with the S. Bang name: Per Hansen and Ulf Noltensmeier. Per and Ulf joined the S. Bang workshop in the early 1970s, and in 1984, when Svend Bang himself retired, Per and Ulf formally took over S. Bang. Per and Ulf’s creations were as admired and coveted as their Danish contemporaries, such as Jess Chonowitsch, Tom Eltang, and Hans ‘Former’ Nielsen. Per and Ulf retired and dissolved S. Bang in 2019, much to the disappointment of pipe smokers and collectors across the world. 

There are two things to know about S. Bang pipes to properly understand this already fascinating cobra shape. One is that, although S. Bang’s grading system is far from simple, once you arrive at letter grades (as opposed to number grades), you know that you have a truly extraordinary pipe. S. Bang grades ascend numerically until they arrive at “9,” after which they descend alphabetically. For S. Bang pipes made after 1984, after Per Hansen and Ulf Noltensmeier bought out the make and became the sole owners and craftsmen of S. Bang pipes, letter grades became very rare and would stop at “D.” The second thing to know regarding this pipe is that, for extraordinary pieces, Hansen and Noltensmeier began to stamp the pipe with the initials of its maker. The best Per Hansen pipes were stamped “PH” and the best Ulf Noltensmeier were stamped “UN.” As for the pipe itself, to call it impressive would be a profound understatement. It is not only perfectly proportioned and grained, with a gorgeous golden contrast stain to fully express the quality of the briar used; it is also a veritable magnum as far as size goes. Don’t let the pipe’s already very respectable seven inches of length fool you – the arching posture of this Danish Naja keeps its greater mass concealed until you’re within striking distance.

The condition is excellent. Some minor, inner rim darkening and very slight handling marks.

 

Details:

Length: 7″ / 177.8mm

Bowl Width: 0.91 / 23.11mm

Bowl Depth: 2.75″ / 69.85mm

Weight: 4.7oz / 134g