S Bang Pre-1984 Giant Lovat 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. 

While by no means a magnum-sized offering, this S Bang belongs to the larger end of the iconic workshop’s production, which were designated with the “Giant” appellation. In many ways it is a stouter interpretation of the classic English-French Lovat shape, though its rounder, fuller bowl brings it closer to the more organic forms native to distinctly Danish pipe-making. The pipe is superbly grained – as those of the Danish masters should be – and wears a sterling silver collar to lend it an extra touch of class sporting the BANG hallmark.

The condition is great. Some very minor inner rim darkening and a slight, superficial nick on the bowl’s left side.

 

Details:

Length: 6.5″ / 165.1mm

Bowl Width: 0.84 / 21.33mm

Bowl Depth: 1.55″ / 39.37mm

Weight: 2.7oz / 78g