Buying Estate Pipes on eBay

[fastnbulbous]

The lots are the most intriguing posts.
Seems like you can easily get a dozen or 2 for a few bucks a pipe.
Gotta be a good one in there somewhere, no?
Most of them look to be in decent enough shape.

I may take you up on your offer to review pipe bids @alligatorgar.
Looking forward to learning from you.

[NeverBend]

When you see a band that's not original (this is a Barling) it's usually an indication that the shank was repaired. Generally the pipe will still smoke well but you should discount the value, especially on valuable pipes. I only know SJV (the brand on the band) in nickel although this looks like it may be sterling. The value of sterling bands is not very much in and of itself.

[Aguineapig]

It would be quite economical to buy pipes that are either missing their stem, or have one that is abysmally chewed up or snapped in half if you didn't mind doing some work replacing it? I've already done a bit of work with vulcanite blanks, for cobs and a couple of estate pipes that I've done already. I thinned them down a bit and made the button more comfortable, etc. I've been eyeing the estate pipes on ebay and it seems like a way to save a few bucks and end up with something that might even be more to your liking-- if not valuable.

[NeverBend]

It would be quite economical to buy pipes that are either missing their stem, or have one that is abysmally chewed up or snapped in half if you didn't mind doing some work replacing it? I've already done a bit of work with vulcanite blanks, for cobs and a couple of estate pipes that I've done already. I thinned them down a bit and made the button more comfortable, etc. I've been eyeing the estate pipes on ebay and it seems like a way to save a few bucks and end up with something that might even be more to your liking-- if not valuable.

Hi,

Sorry for the delay in responding.

Sure, you could repair your own stems but remember that it's not always straightforward. Certainly it makes sense to get some experience. A caveat is that there may be other damage beyond what you see, such as a broken tenon actually being a cracked shank. I personally never mess with stems other than shaping and cleaning them.


Seller Editorializing:

Pre-Transition Barling Ye Olde Wood "Special" Lovat Pipe #129 Straight Grain


This seller gives the correct nomenclature except that they added Straight Grain to the description. If you're familiar with Barling nomenclature then you know that no pipe would be a Special and Straight Grain since both were grain designations. Straight Grain is the seller's opinion and it's incorrectly applied (I suspect that they don't know what a straight grain is) and you should only accept opinions that are know by you to be factual.

Straight grain is always an opinion, and one cen be superior to another but to call it so a pipe should exhibit parallel grain lines running from the top of the bowl to the heel and around most or all of the bowl. They're rare. If it angles too much it should be classified as a Flame Grain. Special was a designation, by Barling, for well other well grained pipes.

This side of this pipe is a straight grain, well presented by the grain but technically a bit wide (grain too far apart to be a superior specimen).





Tighter and more consistent straight grain.






Flame grain.


This is the Barling Special (link above), with lovely grain but it's not a straight grain. While not as valuable as straight grain, this lovely grain is a good indication that this pipe was made from quality, aged briar.