Stanwell Old Briar 842 (1948-57) Sandblasted Estate Briar Pipe, Danish Estates

Description

Stanwell is one of Denmark’s most celebrated and enduring pipe companies, having been founded by Poul Nielsen shortly after the second world war. Over the last six decades, Stanwell has established itself as both a leader in innovative Danish design and for producing well-priced pipes with precision construction and engineering. Many of its designs were created for the company by iconic pipe-makers in the Scandinavian scene, such as Sixten Ivarsson, Anne Julie, Jess Chonowitsch, and Tom Eltang.

As long time MBSD visitors may know, we have an article on the main hub detailing how to date Stanwell pipes. For example, using our guide, this pipe can be identified as being from between 1948 and approximately 1979, based on the fact that it has the block-letter “STANWELL” nomenclature and the registration number (or “reg. number”) “969-48.” It is therefore what is sometimes known as a “registration era,” or “reg. era” pipe. But we can narrow the date of this one down a little further. That’s because this pipe has an uncrowned “S” logo on its stem. I’ve been looking at Danish trademarks filings recently, and it turns out that Stanwell did not file a trademark for (what has since become) their signature crowned “S” logo until 1957. This trademark was granted and registered in 1958. So, this pipe is actually from some time between 1948 (when “Stanwell” was registered as a trademark) and 1957/58 (when the crowned “S” was applied for and registered as a trademark). At some point I do intend to add Dating Guide, but for now, let’s just appreciate this beautifully preserved, 70 year old ring grain sandblast, lightweight bent billiard from the early days of the Stanwell make. It’s a shape 42 (8 designates the dark sandblast finish), which was designed by Sixten Ivarsson, and which was part of the Hand Cut line, which means the pipe was hand made.

-J.M.

The condition is very good. Some rim darkening and minor finish fading, but the fact that the stem logo hasn’t been buffed off is an excellent sign.

 

Details:

Length: 5.8″ / 147.3mm

Bowl Width: 0.71 / 18.03mm

Bowl Depth: 1.57″ / 39.87mm

Weight: 0.9oz / 26g