S. Bang (Per Hansen) XL Smooth Squat Bulldog Estate Briar Pipe, Unsmoked

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. 

Identifying who was responsible for any given S. Bang pipe before 1984 was difficult. Occasionally, one of Svend Bang’s team of artisans would be allowed to stamp their initials, or some other identifying mark, on the pipe, but this was extremely rare. After Svend Bang himself retired, Per Hansen and Ulf Noltensmeier acquired the S. Bang name and continued to produce S. Bang pipes, though with a dramatically reduced workshop. From here on, only Per and Ulf made S. Bang pipes, but even then, it was typically quite difficult to know which of the two was responsible for one, or if it had indeed been a collaborative work. But, as time went on, Per and Ulf would begin again to stamp certain pipes with a maker’s mark; an encircled, stylized “PH” for Per, and a similarly encircled and stylized “UN” for Ulf’s. I suppose, even when working in partnership or as a team, there are times when one wishes to receive credit where it is due. This pipe, made by Per Hansen, is a beautifully carved, large, wide-bowled, low-slung bulldog. I’d go so far as to say it’s something of a signature S. Bang shape, especially after being immortalized (minus this one’s facets) in the Specialty series “Rhodesian” model commissioned by Stanwell circa 1990. Of course, this one is a cut above even the ultra high-grade “flawless” Stanwell renditions, and I say that as a Stanwell collector. But that’s why Per & Ulf’s pipes were so acclaimed, and why they continue to remain a favorite among high-end pipe afficionados, even over half a decade after the workshop was finally dissolved.

This pipe is completely unsmoked, with an original bowl coating. Some minor, residual oxidation on the stem, but I’ve opted to leave that as-is. Its buyer will undoubtedly have their own plans for any touch-ups they’d want to pursue.

 

Details:

Length: 6.5″ / 165.1mm

Bowl Width: 0.89 / 22.60mm

Bowl Depth: 1.55″ / 39.37mm

Weight: 2.9oz / 84g