So, I have a pretty decent vintage, smooth Danish pipe, which is only stamped Prominence A 4. So this is likely a Ben Wade pipe, but his name isn't on it. Does that mean he didn't make it? Likely by someone employed by him? I just want to know if I have all the facts straight.
Ben Wade Prominence Pipe
- Thread starter RandyP
- Start date
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The Danish Ben Wades were just a brand name of pipes made in Peben Holm's workshop by many apprentice carvers as well as Preben himself.
It's entirely possible that the shank was cut down due to a crack and the Ben Wade stamp was lost.
Thtas a good theory. but from what I've seen, most of the stamps put his name below. 
@greeneyes can give you the full Ben Wade rundown but it’s probably easier just to listen to his PM interview.
The fit of the stem made me think the shank was shortened or someone aggressively sanded oxidation off of it.
Some of the Preben Holm pipes didn't have the "Ben Wade" stamp (see below). Preben Holm wasn't employed by Ben Wade--Ben Wade was a brand (by this date, anyway) owned by Hermann Lane and licensed to Preben Holm (the pipe maker) for him to sell his pipes in the United States. Also the stem would have had a "BW" crown logo, and yours doesn't look like an original. If you're intersted in buying it and asking for an opinion, I'd say you ought to save your money and buy a pipe that was in better condition.
Thank you for your input on this. So, then this pipe was made by Prebem Holm. Do you know approx what year? I'm actually selling it, but I always try to accurately describe any pipe I sell and I also try to price it accordingly.Some of the Preben Holm pipes didn't have the "Ben Wade" stamp (see below). Preben Holm wasn't employed by Ben Wade--Ben Wade was a brand (by this date, anyway) owned by Hermann Lane and licensed to Preben Holm (the pipe maker) for him to sell his pipes in the United States. Also the stem would have had a "BW" crown logo, and yours doesn't look like an original. If you're intersted in buying it and asking for an opinion, I'd say you ought to save your money and buy a pipe that was in better condition.