Hi and Need Help with Strange Pipe Stinger

Hey guys! I hope this post finds you all well and happily piping along. I haven't had much time to devote to the hobby in the past several months, but I have recently become friends with a few young chaps who, low and behold, have taken to pipe smoking like ducks to water. Recently one of these friends came across a pipe in antique mall and asked me to check it out. When I removed the stem I was surprised to see this. It look likes someone jammed a drill bit in there to me! Or is this some demented French take on a Kaywoodie? The pipe is stamped Algerian Briar and Made in France. The band appears to be electroplate. Has anyone ever seen anything like this?

http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/u...psgtg3yoho.jpg
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps0pbrkksx.jpg
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps4yzdbzsh.jpg

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I've seen them on ebay but haven't owned one. I would take a pair of pliers and see how hard it is to pull out.
Looks killer doesn't it?

Thanks for the info, Lostmason! What part of OK are you from? I spent a few years in Norman.