These pipes come from many sources - an estate, a smoker who has had to give up, a pipe that just didn't suit the smoker. They have one thing in common, they are pipes from the leading brands - Dunhill, Charatan, Savinelli, Stanwell, Comoy, Larsen, quality Freeforms, GBD, etc; they have original mouthpieces and haven't been battered. When new, many of these refurbished pipes would have been in the Prestige Pipe class.
We have the pipe sterilised, cleaned and polished to restore its mature, dignified appearance - like a fine piece of antique furniture. Now that they have done service for one proud owner, they are ready to give pleasure to their next owner at a fraction of their current new price - well worth looking at!

Pipes in Selection #1- Click the grid image to view details of each pipe

DUNHILL
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. Rigorous 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.
Irrespective of shape, size or finish, all Dunhill pipes are of one quality only – the finest.
Dunhill Pipes are priced by size - Groups 1 (small) to 6 - and finish. Their stampings indicate these details and the date of manufacture. Pipes from the older eras of refurbished Dunhills appear to be somewhat larger in any given group than their modern counterparts.
Modern pipes have 4 digit shape numbers, and are now stamped with “The White Spot” between “Alfred Dunhill’s”.

Dunhill Bruyere shape 59 (4)A

254-RfDHB59 Gp4  R4000.00 

Produced in 1967.  This is a beautifully proportioned classic Dunhill Billiard just waiting to be put to use. The closeness of the grain can be clearly seen on both sides of the shank. Virtually mint condition, at less than half the price of a later dated pipe in the same shape – what more can we say about it.
Current Price Dunhill Bruyere Group 4 R7258.11

Weight 49g
Inside bowl diameter  20mm
Inside bowl depth  41mm

Dunhill Bruyere Spigot ET Gp.(4)A

254-RfDHBSpigot Gp4 R3500.00

Made in 1975. Cross grain on front and back confirmed by the images on the rim of the bowl. The hallmarked collar and the positioning of the stamping on the stubby shank authenticate the origin of the design.
From start to finish it was intended to be a squat spigot.
This is a collector’s pipe which has not been smoked more than once or twice.
Current Price Dunhill Bruyere Group 4 R7258.11

Weight  34g
Inside bowl diameter 21mm
Inside bowl depth 25mm

254-RF Dunhill Leather

254-RfDHLeath Bill R1750.00 

Since all Dunhill pipes have clean, flawless bowls the leather was probably fitted to give the pipe more of “Tweed Coat”, outdoor smoking look. From the look of the rim and the feel of the inside of the bowl this pipe was carefully smoked. Can’t determine the age.

Weight 39g
Inside bowl diameter17mm
Inside bowl depth  35mm

Dunhill Shell Briar shape 60 F/T Gp4

254-RfDHS60 Gp4 R1500.00 

This well preserved Shell Briar pipe has recently been fitted with a quality replacement mouthpiece in perfect condition. The bowl shows very interesting flame grain swirls up the bowl. The polished flat bottom shows cross grain, and enables the pipe to stand on its own.

Current price of Shell Group 4 R5094.30

Weight  34g
Inside bowl diameter 20mm
Inside bowl depth 40mm

Dunhill Shell Briar shape 251 F/T Gp.3

254-RfDHS251 Gp3 R3000.00

Made in 1971, The light sandblasting brings out the Birdseye on both sides spread apart with Cross Grain on front and back of the bowl. This shape 251 is interesting because the bowl diameter is only 17mm which would normally confine its use to fine cut blends, but the 5mm bowl thickness suggests that a well rubbed flake would be just as cool in the hand.  Very lightweight.
Current price Dunhill Shell Group 3 R4231.80
Mint condition, unsmoked. 

Weight 28g
Inside bowl diameter  17mm
Inside bowl depth  35mm

Dunhill Shell Briar 931

254-RfDHS931 Gp4 R1395.00

Produced in what looks to be 1975 – 15 after the D. The shape was in the Collector’s range and is no longer part of normal Dunhill production. Beautiful lines from the rounded bowl down the oval shank.
The flat bottomed, oval shank allows the pipe to rest comfortably on its own. The bowl has been well preserved. The mouthpiece is a good quality replacement. Current price of a Group 4 Shell is R5094.30

Weight  39g
Inside bowl diameter 20mm
Inside bowl depth 35mm

Dunhill Tanshell shape 423 Gp.3

254-RfDHTS 423 Gp3 R5500.00 

Made in 1975 this pipe is fitted with a 15mm fishtail mouthpiece to steady the balance in the teeth. The 20mm shank is matched by the first 20mm of the mouthpiece before the saddle step which balances the appearance and overall look of the pipe – bowl diameter 19mm.  Light for its size.
Current price Dunhill Tanshell Group 3 around R8400.00
Mint condition, unsmoked. 

Weight 27g
Inside bowl diameter  19mm
Inside bowl depth  39mm

Prolong the life of your favourite briar with a little more care and attention.

Professional Refurbishment.

Take a look at those old discarded pipes (discoloured, sour, damaged) - some of them may easily justify the cost of a professional repair or refurbishment. The bowl will be reamed, cleaned and sweetened with "mead", and the whole pipe polished to restore its dignified appearance - only the dents will remain as a reminder of past pleasures.
As well as replacement mouthpieces, a hole in the bowl or a cracked shank can be repaired.
You won't be able to buy a new branded pipe for the R200 to R300 the professional job may cost you. Bring in your pipe for assessment.

D I Y Refurbishment

Here is a step-by-step procedure:

There are 6 distinct cleaning processes:
1. Removing the build-up of tars and juices which collect inside the shank and mouthpiece, and in the base of the bowl. Work over a tray or dish, lined with paper. Remove the mouthpiece from the pipe. Insert the nozzle of the CGA Pressurised Pipe Cleaner spray into the peg of the stem and press down for about a second to release the spray. Repeat for the shank. Use a bristle cleaner to really scrub the inside of the shank and mouthpiece. Or you could dip the bristle in a solvent (eg Savinelli Pipe Clean, or some form of alcohol). You could pour or spray just a little solvent into the base of the inside of the bowl and work the bristle cleaner through from the slightly tilted shank.
Try not to splash the solvent on the outside of the bowl or mouthpiece. Be careful not to start a hole in the base of the bowl through excessive twisting - and for very bent pipes go easy round the bend in the mouthpiece.
You have finished when the pipe cleaner comes through clean.
2. Keeping the carbon layer under control. When necessary, ream the carbon layer inside the bowl to an even thickness of about 1.5mm (R1 coin) - the precise, high-tech Senior reamer will do the job comfortably. Wipe the inside of the bowl with a little of the solvent.
3. Polishing the vulcanite mouthpiece to remove the bitter taste. Remove the oxidation from the mouthpiece with a mild abrasive (eg Dunhill Pipe Mouthpiece Polish, Savinelli Stem Polish or Jeweller's Rouge). This might require vigorous and lengthy rubbing (a whole TV programme). If very dull and green, a buffing wheel is a big help - remove the mouthpiece to prevent accidental breakage. With the buffing wheel, take care not to buff too hard on one spot - the vulcanite may burn. If the logo is stamped on the mouthpiece it will possibly disappear.
(A recent comment from a customer was that a buffing wheel is necessary when using "jeweller's rouge" but that he found a good hand rub sufficient when using Savinelli Stem Polish regularly.)
Watchpoint - water based cleaners or abrasives (eg Handy Andy, Vim) or alcohols (eg Meths, Benzine) may add to the discolouration of the outside of the mouthpiece - extra polishing will then be necessary.
4. Beauty treatment for the outside of the briar bowl. Polish the outside of the bowl with a wax polish (eg Dunhill Bowl Polish; Savinelli Bowl Polish) and a clean cloth. Again a buffing wheel can help - remember to remove the mouthpiece before starting.
5. Long term protection for the pipe.
Obsidian Pipe Stem Oil prevents oxidation.
And the Dunhill Silicone Pipe Care Cloth: 100% waxed cotton protects the whole pipe. Rub lightly over the surface of bowl and mouthpiece after cleaning and polishing. Protects the pipe with an invisible film of silicone wax.
6. Check the tenon (peg).
Does it slide easily in and out? If not, remove sticky residue with pipe cleaner spray or liquid, then lubricate it by wiping with a silicone cloth, or rubbing with a pencil.

Complete Cleaning Kits are available from Savinelli (sold separately), and Dunhill

Finally, leave the pipe to stand bowl down for at least 24 hours before smoking.

NB Read about cleaning your Meerschaum - a very different process.

Prevention is better than Cure!
1. Don't oversmoke a pipe (especially your favourite) - it will become saturated and turn "sour".
Do rotate your pipes to allow each to dry out properly.
2. Do polish the mouthpiece regularly, don't let the oxidation get the upper hand.
3. Do allow the carbon layer to build in your new pipe - right to the bottom of the bowl - and then keep it reamed to about 1.5mm thickness to prevent cracking.
4. If yours is a filter pipe - do use the filter or use the adapter. Don't smoke without one of them, even once, it can lead to an ill-fitting mouthpiece through a swollen shank. This is almost impossible to rectify.
5. To prevent breakage, do hold close to the join when removing the mouthpiece from the bowl, and don't remove the mouthpiece until the pipe is cool.
6. Don't use a sharp pointed instrument to clean out the bowl - you may drill a hole in the bottom.
7. Do hold your pipe by the bowl (not the stem) when "tapping out" the ash; and don't knock it against a hard surface - you may break the shank or mouthpiece or crack the bowl. Fit a "cork knocker" to a handy ashtray.
The general principle to bear in mind is that the cleaner and drier you keep your pipe, the more enjoyable it will be to smoke - and the longer it will continue to give pleasure.

ALL IMAGES AND CONTENT © Colin Wesley 2020

		. . .. . .. . .. . .. . . .