Group 1 UK Archives - Wesleys Online Shop

CHARATAN After Hours SOLD

“The After Hours line was a clever move by Charatan to use a strummel that had some sort of flaw. The flawed area was cut off and an acrylic piece was screwed to the shortened shank. Early pipes had horn extensions and later acrylic was used. This pipe uses an acrylic piece. The wood for After Hours is reported to be of a “Selected” quality grain.” Reborn Pipes This pipe certainly deserved to be saved – the large bowl shows stunning straight and flame grains rising from the base. There is a hint of BirdsEye grain towards the rim, at the base of the bowl and under the shank. The light finish enables one to appreciate the grain and the almost flawless briar – the camera found just two little spots one of which is barely visible even with a magnifying glass. The pipe has the trademark Double Comfort mouthpiece, but enthusiastic polishing has removed the CP logo. The bowl is stamped CHARATAN’S MAKE LONDON ENGLAND on two lines, and the curly “L” from the Lane Era is quite clear. I’ve been wondering about this pipe. It is unsmoked, but has a few “dings” on the bowl, and the mouthpiece was obviously badly oxidised, which necessitated heavy polishing. My guess is that it was left in a drawer or box for some years, with no protection. Any other ideas? All the signs seem to indicate that it came from the best period of Charatan pipes, the “Lane Era”. The stamping on the bowl on two lines, The Double Comfort mouthpiece, The Circled “L”, “Made by Hand” stamped on the insert, which indicates the date of manufacture as between 1958 and 1965. This is the Era during which Charatan pipes were considered better than all other pipes, including Dunhill. Read more about dating Charatan pipes on https://pipedia.org/wiki/Dating_of_Charatans It is now over 60 years since this briar was harvested – plenty of time to dry out and mature. Vital statistics: Weight 52g Inside bowl diameter 19mm Inside bowl depth 45mm

R3,500.00 Read more

Charatan’s Make SPECIAL, Straight Dublin shape 33

The stamping on this pipe is so worn it took the camera to show me the true credentials and value. Mind you I did have a clue when I picked it up – incredibly light. A fine piece of briar, with a good-sized bowl. The bowl has strong cross-grain front and back, with very faint BirdsEye between. It seems that there is too little soft wood for a distinctive grain. However the cross=grain continues over the shank showing a nice differentiation of hard and soft briar. I don’t think the mouthpiece is original. Certainly there is no logo, and the join with the shank is not flush. The pipe has been well cared for, only slight burn marks around the inside rim of the bowl, and very few dings. Thanks to the camera I can just see that the stamping is “Charatan’s Make” “London England” SPECIAL 33. But even the camera couldn’t help with the scratchings to the left of the stamp. Dating is very difficult, maybe you could try for yourself. https://pipedia.org/wiki/Dating_of_Charatans It doesn’t seem to be from the period when the pipes were made in France since there are no letters after the shape number. It appears that all the other manufacturing periods provided pipes of Charatan/Dunhill quality – a great smoke. Vital statistics: Weight 33g Inside bowl diameter 22mm Inside bowl depth 39mm

R1,995.00 Add to basket

Dunhill Bruyere Dublin shape 142, with oval shank

A classic Dublin shape bowl, with the oval stem streaming seamlessly from the bowl. The modern Shape Chart has no indication of an oval stem for a Dublin. The dark Bruyere finish has lightened over the years to a delicate golden brown. Now you can enjoy the grain on the bowl of this pipe from any angle: Birdseye on one side, another heart of Birdseye on the opposite side with flaring Flame Grain. The flames continue around and under the bowl and along the top of the shank. Eye-catching! Dating Circled 4 indicates after 1951; A for Bruyere, top quality; shape numbers changed to 3, 4 or 5 digits in 1976. No patent no. after 1955 So this pipe is pre 1976 – add 30 – 50 years aging and curing, and the briar is now at least 80 years old. Weight 34g Inside bowl diameter 19mm Inside bowl depth 38mm

R4,750.00 Add to basket

Dunhill Bruyere shape LB, Group 4

The original rich Burgundy Bruyere (A) colour has faded leaving a glowing brown colour. You can see a variety of patterns – all with plenty of hard wood and enough softer wood to form the contrasting grain. A few dings, otherwise in excellent condition. The pipe has a replacement mouthpiece – very well fitted. Just a slight ridge at the join. But I’m glad they weren’t tempted to sand the shank so that the fit would be smooth. Dating Unfortunately the polishing was too enthusiastic and I can only see the start of the name Dunhill and the shape LB. On the other side of the shank the letter A (for Bruyere) and a number in a circle. This is a clue to the age of the pipe. From around 1976 the circled numbers were replaced with 3, 4 or 5 digit shape numbers, so this beauty was manufactured at least 48 years ago – add the aging time, the briar must be 80 to 100 years old. Current price Group 5 Bruyere refurbished pipe R7200.00 (New over R10000.00) Weight 58g Inside bowl diameter 21mm Inside bowl depth 42mm

R4,250.00 Add to basket

Dunhill Bruyere Spigot A Bruyere Gp4

The positioning of the stampings on the stubby shank authenticates the origin of the design. From start to finish it was intended to be a squat spigot. Patent No.194/311. The grain is a beautiful swirl of light and dark. The pipe is in excellent condition, no dings. And well-loved, enough to wear away the stamping on the shank. No idea of the date of manufacture. There are some hieroglyphics on the shank, not clear enough to give a clue. This is a collector’s pipe which has not been smoked more than once or twice. The pipe is very light, only 27g, perfect for a straight pipe. The spigot housing is vulcanite which blends well with the mouthpiece. But, it seems that the mouthpiece may be a replacement. The “White Spot” appears to have been painted on. Not a problem for the smoker – it’s the quality and curing of the briar that counts. Weight 27g Inside bowl diameter 20mm Inside bowl depth 28mm Current Price Dunhill Bruyere Group 4 R8495.00

R2,750.00 Add to basket

Dunhill Pipe, Amber root; Group 4 Bent 254-RfDHDPA4102 SOLD

Dunhill Pipe Amber Root Group 4 Classic Taper Bent

- Hand-polishing enhances the beauty of the natural grain.

Dating

R6,900.00 Read more

Dunhill Pipe, Bruyere Group 5 Bent Apple 254-RfDHDPB5213

Dunhill Pipe, Bruyere Group 5 Bent Apple This pipe has hardly been smoked - excellent condition. Perfect proportions between bowl rim and shank and the carefully selected degree of bend in the saddle mouthpiece completes the balance of this pipe. Excellent balance in hand and mouth. Proper Group 5 size, a real handful. The dark Bruyere colour has lightened over the years to show some of the interesting grain. On the grid picture you can see a round patch of hard light briar with Crossgrain stripes radiating from it - impression of the sun. The opposite side has some beautiful Birdseye as one would expect. Under the bowl and shank the grain can best be described as misty Crossgrain. The pictures just don't do it justice. Current price of Group 5 Bruyere since January 2024 is R15100.00 Dating Dunhill logo inside an ellipse was only used until March 2012. 34 after Made in England indicates 1994. More than 30 years since the pipe left the factory. maybe 80 years since it was harvested. Weight: 55g Inner Bowl Diameter: 20mm Inner bowl depth: 40mm

R7,550.00 Add to basket

Dunhill Red Bark Hungarian shape 591 Gp 4 <BR> SOLD

Dunhill Red Bark Hungarian shape 591 Gp 4
SOLD

This is a lovely block of briar, much bigger than one would expect from its Group 4 classification. In very good condition, original mouthpiece too – and no bite marks. Unfortunately there is a hole in the bottom of the bowl, most likely though the use of a pointed instrument to clean out the dottle. Even more unfortunately the previous owner didn’t try to have the hole plugged, instead a plate was glued over the hole so that the pipe is able to be smoked. I can’t tell what the material of the plate is – it isn’t wood, and when tapped it doesn’t sound like plastic. Judging by past prices, Colin would have marked this pipe at around R7000.00. Although it is in perfect condition, the hole in the bowl reduces the price, and I have marked it R3950.00. An option – If you are not happy with it after you have smoked it a few times, you could return it to us (or to some other pipe repairer) to have the plate removed and the hole plugged. I estimate the cost as about R1500.00. Back to the pipe. It is stamped shape 591. The shape is what Dunhill now call “Hungarian” shape 26. Very interesting is the stamping. On the Red Bark Dublin Gp3, the stamp started with F/T and ends with R/B. This pipe has similar stamping, but because of the steep curve, there was no room for the R/B at the end of the shank. Part of the stamp, the R/B, has been continued onto the mouthpiece ! Dating: Red Bark was introduced in 1973 (maybe end 1972) From 1971-1975 there was a double digit suffix, sometimes underlined. This pipe shows a small underlined 13 after D in England, so it is from 1973; One of the first of the Red Bark range. That is over 50 years ago, and the briar was already 20-50 years old at that time. The pipe is almost a Centurion. This finish was only produced for about 15 years, so the pipe is a real Collectors’ piece. Weight 60g Inside bowl diameter 20mm Inside bowl depth 47mm

R3,950.00 Read more

Dunhill Red Bark shape 42 Gp3

An old Dunhill catalogue shows the Dublin as shape 42 in Gp 3 and 142 in Gp 4. Slightly taller bowl from the usual Dublin shape. The Red Bark was a sandblasted pipe stained a rich crimson colour – which develops a smoky patina after some smoking. Red Bark finish was first introduced in 1972/3 but discontinued in 1987 only manufactured for about 15 years. So a fine example like this is a real Collector’s piece. Look again at the sandblasting. It’s very shallow which indicates the predominance of hard wood. Some softer wood shows the typical hills and valleys of a sandblasted pipe. Hardly smoked, excellent condition. Original mouthpiece. Dating: 1971-1975 double digit suffix - 12 after D in England indicates the pipe is from 1972. But Red Bark was only introduced in 1973, though a few sources do say 1972/3 Interesting. Weight 28g Inside bowl diameter 20mm Inside bowl depth 41mm On the Internet, unsmoked Group 3 Red Bark is on offer for EUR600. Post script – about 20 years later the finish was re-introduced as Ruby Bark, glowing ruby coloured sandblasted pipe highlighted with Hallmarked Silver (0.925) bands.

R3,750.00 Add to basket

Dunhill Shell Briar Canadian shape EC Gp4 <br> SOLD

Dunhill Shell Briar Canadian shape EC Gp4
SOLD

What a stunning pipe. You can tell from the variation and depth of the sandblasting that it is from the days when Algerian Briar was still available (up to the early 1960s) And it is incredibly lightweight, only 20g The bowl appears to be a bit smaller than one would expect from a Group 4 classification. But look at the length of the shank. This would have required a large ebauchon. The advantage is the cool smoke one can expect. A small accident resulted in a chip from the edge of the bowl. It has been well repaired – we only picked it up by what appeared to be a hairline crack on the rim of the bowl. No crack! Just an excellent repair. Look at the picture. Dating: Circled 4 indicates after 1951 but before 1975 No Patent numbers, they were discontinued about 1955 Underlined Suffix 9 smaller than D so 1959 Weight 20g Inside bowl diameter 20mm Inside bowl depth 29mm

R2,750.00 Read more

Dunhill Shell Briar Chimney quarter bent oval shank. SOLD

I’m not even sure that the bowl is a true “Chimney”. It’s tall enough, but it leans very slightly forward, and the rim of the bowl is slanted to match the slightly curving original mouthpiece. I was going to say To day such Dunhill pipes which are turned according to the vision of the carver, and not a standard shape, are grouped under the description “Quaint”. Then Googling shape 708 brought up a couple of pictures but no description or date. Neither did any of my old Dunhill catalogues. And I have 2 Dunhill pipes shape 708 so at some stage it was a regular shape for Dunhill. However, the vision of the carver or designer has resulted in a very elegant pipe, with a stem long enough to ensure a cool smoke. And as with most shell briars the finish is even more beautiful when it is worn, highlighting the peaks and valleys of the grain. Dating. Circled 4 indicates after 1951, and no patent no. indicates after 1955 Double Suffix (11 underlined) same size as D of England, so this pipe dates from 1971 Weight 29g Inside bowl diameter 20mm Inside bowl depth 40mm

R2,950.00 Read more

Dunhill Tanshell, Group 4, shape LB F/T

The Tanshell finish was introduced in 1952. The sandblasting has been smoothed with years of use, in places almost completely smooth. But the condition of the bowl is excellent, just slight wear on the rim. The original mouthpiece was damaged near the bite, and has been repaired. Tested, pipe cleaner runs through smoothly. Just in case, a replacement mouthpiece is included. Some pictures are with original mouthpiece, one with the fine quality replacement mouthpiece fitted. Note: Between 1962 and 1968 Algerian briar was not available, and sandblasted pipes were made from slightly harder Greek briar using a double blast technique. Dating: This pipe is stamped with a circled 4 and T (Tanshell) but is larger than the Group 4 pipes we see today. Date of manufacture 1968 as shown by the digit 8 after, and the same size as, the D in England. Current price of refurbished Tanshell LB with original mouthpiece R6000.00 Weight 53g Inside bowl diameter 22mm Inside bowl depth 44mm