Description
Dunhill shape LB
This shape is one of Dunhill’s most iconic, a chubby Large Billiard.
Actually, bigger than Large – it is the size of a modern Group 5, sometimes larger.
A real handful and a favourite with Collectors who say it gives a great smoke.
The LB was introduced after WW1 and over the years its shape has varied slightly. Said to be due to different hand carvers, particularly before standardisation of Dunhill shapes was introduced.
One interesting comment was that the shape appeared to be slightly different in the smooth or in the sandblasted finishes.
This was ascribed to the fact that carving skills required for the soft Algerian briar used for sandblasting, and the harder
Calabrian briar used for Bruyere finish pipes, were quite different. So different carvers were used for the different finishes.
From about 1918 through 1975 (the year Dunhill changed its shape system to today’s) Dunhill’s two most important large billiards were the LB with its slightly rounded bowl and thick shank, and the ODA/835, a taller billiard.
(Shape LBS is more slender)
From Dunhill UK: “We don’t have any LB’s at the moment and for quite a while, but I would not exclude that we make that shape again in future. Nowadays they are very rare and hardly obtainable.”
We offer two of the outstanding LB shape pipes.
The White Spot pipe from Alfred Dunhill Ltd
The durability and cool sweet smoking of the Alfred Dunhill pipe with its “White Spot” trademark are universally acclaimed. Made from the finest quality briar, the “Dunhill” represents more than 90 separate processes over a period of several months. While there are checks and quality controls every step of the way, the final inspection before each pipe is released onto the market is made by only one person. An indication of the scarcity of fine briar to meet the standards demanded of a Dunhill “White Spot” pipe. These standards ensure that each pipe will smoke perfectly from the start and, with proper care, will never lose its original sweetness. The flawless briars are perfect – no fills, no flaws, no pits; only 5 out of every 100 ebauchons entering the factory leave as a Dunhill. The mouthpiece of every Dunhill pipe is hand-cut from a solid rod of “Vulcanite” – the Dunhill name for a rubber compound which, although tough, is easy on the teeth and does not flavour/taint the smoke. In colour it may be Black, or Cumberland (marbled brown). The Dunhill “White Spot” was the first pipe to carry a guarantee. That little white spot is still a symbol of perfection and style, and the guarantee still holds. Dunhill pipes have an exceptionally long life and are in great demand as refurbished “estate” pipes. They are highly regarded as “Collectibles”.
