Dr. Grabow Westbrook

[Alligator Gar]

Pete and George were both struck by this pipe. There's a little bit of a story to it, some mystery, and it's a good excuse to post some pipe pr0n, so here goes.

http://i.imgur.com/5v3IHz4.jpg

I picked this pipe up along with a GBD Clubhouse on another pipe forum WTS. I posted about the GBD here:

http://www.cigarbum.com/forum/general-pipe-discussion/pipe-purchase-149-12.html#post66209 Scroll down.

I posted the before and after on the other site and the seller got kind of pissed. He had intended to learn how to restore but needed the money, etc. etc. I offered to restore an old Dublin of his gratis and thereby made a friend, but decided against posting the Westbrook restore.

Today NeverBend reminded me of how special the Dr. Grabow is. It is nearly 7" long and the shank is close to 4 inches. It has a very tall, deep bowl that is deceptively large.

Album: Westbrook - Album on Imgur (http://imgur.com/a/GnzoT)

I have Googled this pipe to exhaustion and I can't find one that has this long shank. It is an exceptional piece of briar, the finish makes the grain look three dimensional and the shape is possibly unique. Per Pete's request I compiled a gallery of marks and stamps:

Westbrook Marks - Album on Imgur (http://imgur.com/a/0L9uP)

It's hard as hell to photograph the bottom stamps in the picture. They say IMPORTED BRIAR, AUTOMATIC in cursive script and has the patent number.

I would love to learn more about one of my favorite pipes! What say you, brothers?

[GWBowman]

Jim, that pipe has some wicked grain and a great design to be a Grabow. Not to throw off on a Grabow. I own a few, but that is spectacular in comparison. Good for you.

[Alligator Gar]

Jim, that pipe has some wicked grain and a great design to be a Grabow. Not to throw off on a Grabow. I own a few, but that is spectacular in comparison. Good for you.

Yeah, Grabow generally ain't as proud of their grain. Pete thinks it may be an old dog.

[NeverBend]

Yeah, Grabow generally ain't as proud of their grain. Pete thinks it may be an old dog.

Hi Jim,

I don't know much about Dr. Grabow but I've seen several hundred and none like this (7"!).

From the original picture I thought it was a liverpool but it appears, in your new pics, to be a canadian - yes?

One day I'll post why handmade is important but this one appears to be and it would be the first such Grabow that I've seen.

Compares very favorably from shaping, grain, etc. to a 1940s Kaywoodie but I think it's not that old. Perhaps a very early US Tobacco when they took over the company (late 1960 if I remember correctly). They were reputed to have made some special pipes and this one fits that bill.

There may be some forums that can shed some light on the pipe but it's likely that none on Grabow forums have see it's like either.

May I ask how tall the bowl is and how long the shank (sans stem) is?

Enjoy and congratulations on a great find!

Regards,

Pete

[Alligator Gar]

Bowl height is 1 7/8". Stem is 3 1/2" from back of bowl to end of shank, sans bit. I'm going to be off the grid next week, but if you have ways of delving deeper and care to, please indulge me. I'll talk to you in a week! PS Yes, Canadian. You gave me the courage to unbend!

[BryGuySC]

That is the coolest Grabow I've seen.
Nice buy and nice job!