Who are the history buffs here?

[Lostmason]

Years ago a friend informed me that the purpose of the extra long stem/shank on the churchwarden was to enable the Warden/Deacon to light your pipe for you while in church. Having seen the layout of some of the historical churches I can believe this.Now my wife has brought up the question of what religious groups did this.ie the puritans,pilgrims,angelicans what have you ? Did the practice start with one group or community?

[TheGrumpyOleTroll]

I believed and read the longer shank/stem on churchwarden pipes were to keep the smoke out of the smokers eyes..hence the church warden (guard) name..my grandfather called them reading pipes for the same reason...


The Troll

[Lostmason]

A cpl of histories I found on the web attribute the longer stem to Lane the first governor of Virginia Colony and with roanoak.Another claimed it was for a dryer cooler smoke.
Thank you @ TheGrumpyOleTroll for you input,I'm betting there are many reasons in different areas for longer stems,just a need/desire to ferret them out.

Matthew

[Ropey]

I read that the long stem enabled people to rest the bowl of the pipe on the pew in front of them while they clasped their hands in prayer. LOL. I bet there are about 50 different stories as to the long stem. There could be no reason at all, perhaps people just enjoyed longer and longer stems.

[Branzig]

Good Ol' Wikipedia has some very interesting insight on them. All makes sense. I realize they aren't considered the most reliable source of facts, but all of the following makes sense to this guy:

"In German the style is referred to as "Lesepfeife" or "reading pipe," presumably because the longer stem allowed an unimpeded view of one's book, and smoke doesn't form near the reader's eyes, allowing one to look down."

"Such pipes were very popular as an Oriental influence from the 17th century onwards in Europe. They remained most popular in Eastern Europe, as an emblem of the "Hussars," cavalry troops with roots in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, who went from Russia to France and England during the Napoleonic Wars and brought the pipes with them. It was even known as the "Hussar pipe" at the time. Engraved portraits exist of men smoking such an instrument. This long stem pipe type has its origins in the Ottoman Empire, geographically and historically."

"Churchwarden pipes were reputedly named after churchwardens, or night watchmen of churches in the time that churches never locked their doors. These "churchwardens" couldn't be expected to go all night without a smoke, so they had pipes that were made with exceptionally long stems so the smoke and the pipe wouldn't be in their line of sight as they kept watch. Churchwardens have experienced a surge in popularity in recent years, thanks in large part to Lord of the Rings film trilogy, wherein many of the characters smoke Churchwardens or other pipes of similar design."

[Desertlifter]

I've always heard the reading story.

Other than my beloved Tsuge, I like them as commuting pipes. The long stem lets me rest my arm on the armrest and still reach for a puff without having to move much. Just plain comfy.

[GWBowman]

He's not an expert, but my youngest son wanted one because "they look cool". Just sayin'

[cpmcdill]

It's been my understanding that the churchwarden was named because they resemble the collection baskets on very long handles that are passed down aisles for congregants to drop donations into during services.

When there are a lot of historical "facts" about something that all seem contradictory, it's because nobody knows, and they present their speculations as authoritative.

[Herf N Turf]

Crazy as it is, this is a really fascinating thread. I love long pipes with small bowls, but admit that I haven't a clue as to the origins of their specifics. What I do know is, they smoke very cool for a small-bowled pipe, which gives the smoker the pleasure of a full-flavored bowl, without the hours-long commitment of a big bowl.

[Lostmason]

Crazy as it is, this is a really fascinating thread. I love long pipes with small bowls, but admit that I haven't a clue as to the origins of their specifics. What I do know is, they smoke very cool for a small-bowled pipe, which gives the smoker the pleasure of a full-flavored bowl, without the hours-long commitment of a big bowl.

This is why I like the Dr Grabow pipes, smaller bowls but not tiny.Even then often I only load around half so I have time to enjoy it. I know a few here will set down a half smoked pipe and finish it later, But I have cats who are way to inquisitive, and smoking cat hair bites.

I've not tried smoking a churchwarden, but they are strangly alluring.Thinking about ordering an extra long foreverstem to put on one of my bowls.

Looking on the net, There are several differing spicifics and they are confusing. One states that the longer stems developed over a short time due to fashion.Another,
Lane introduced the style to Sir Francis Drake which leads me to believe it is derivitive from the "Peace Pipes". I haven't found the one about reading, but an old friend , who has studied symbology longer than I've been alive, informed me years ago the longer stem was so the parrishner could extend his bowl to the Warden/Deacon for light without having to leave his seat.One history stated that the Angelican church had bans on smoking and that one of the early kings of England burned tobacco crops being
grown in England.