Dunhill LB 8

[Ahi Ka]

Does anyone know when the Dunhill stopped stamping “8” on their LB pipes?

I picked this up today and am trying my best to date it as the nomenclature is pretty worn. It’s a patent pipe, and from what I can tell, I can’t see a “/34” at the end of the patent number, but rather what looks like a 0.

I feel like this could be a 1940 LB, but before I sing from the rooftops I thought I’d check here.

Chur

 

[mikethompson]

That stamping is very light, and I can't make much of it in that light.

Is it possible the 3 looks like a 0 and the 4 has faded away?

 

[Ahi Ka]

That stamping is very light, and I can't make much of it in that light.

Is it possible the 3 looks like a 0 and the 4 has faded away?

Quite possibly, and that’s why I was wondering whether I can use the LB8 stamp as a cut off point for dating. It’s really hard for me to capture the stamping with the light we have today. Here’s another shot



And for comparison, this is an example of a 1940 Dunhill, which looks like what I am seeing with my eyes but unable to capture with my phone. Might need to dig out the camera

 

[didimauw]

Looks like you need maybe less light to see it better? And maybe more of an angle.

 

[canucklehead]

It certainly looks like the 1940 pic to me.

 

[canucklehead]

Shell finish, but 8 stamped 1940 pipes

https://www.smokingpipes.com/pipes/estate/england/moreinfo.cfm?product_id=328320

https://www.smokingpipes.com/pipes/estate/england/moreinfo.cfm?product_id=148151

 

[doctorbob]

I have a 1933 LB double patent, Vernon tenon pipe without the 8. I'm not sure it's a useful age indicator other than 'early'.

Given that patent number, without the ability to clearly read the suffix, best you and say is mid thirties to early forties.

 

[doctorbob]

To further add, I have a 1939 Shell 126 with an inner tube size stamp of 4 and a 1940 Shell 507 with an inner tube size stamp of 7 so those stamps could show up in either of those years.

If it's truly a 0 then it has to be 1940 pipe, as that patent wasn't used in 1930 and the 1950 pipes would a have a /34 after the patent number.

 

[Ahi Ka]

To further add, I have a 1939 Shell 126 with an inner tube size stamp of 4 and a 1940 Shell 507 with an inner tube size stamp of 7 so those stamps could show up in either of those years.

If it's truly a 0 then it has to be 1940 pipe, as that patent wasn't used in 1930 and the 1950 pipes would a have a /34 after the patent number.

I think it is a 40s pipe; either with the 0 date code, or if with a worn /34 stamp and no date code.

I normally smoke group 1-3 sized pipes so this looks like a monster to me.

 

[Ahi Ka]

On another note, @doctorbob how do you like the Vernon tenon configuration? I recently picked up a fabrication anglaise bulldog with one

 

[doctorbob]

On another note, @doctorbob how do you like the Vernon tenon configuration? I recently picked up a fabrication anglaise bulldog with one

I like it, I feel they need an inner tube in place to smoke properly. George Dibos told me to not disassemble out any more than possible to keep the briar ridge the prongs lock on to intact ( mine has the tenon on the stem, they later switched to the tenon on the shank).

 

[doctorbob]

I don't think it can be a /34 pipe as the text alignment is different.

 

[Ahi Ka]

that’s a good tip cheers. Yeah mine is on the stem side too

 

[Ahi Ka]

I don't think it can be a /34 pipe as the text alignment is different.

My thoughts exactly.

 

[jaingorenard]

Definitely looks like a 0 to me. Nice find!

 

[orlandofurioso]

Dunhill Large Billiard Variations - Pipedia

pipedia.org

 

[Ahi Ka]

Dunhill Large Billiard Variations - Pipedia

pipedia.org

That is a fantastic piece which I have read a few times before and it still goes over my head.

 

[mikethompson]

I don't think it can be a /34 pipe as the text alignment is different.

This exactly.

Reading this, then going back to the picture just confirms it for me.

 

[craig61a]

In any case, a nice old pipe!

 

[doctorbob]

I just checked my 1944 Bruyere and it has a inner tube size stamp along with the /34 too. I really think it's a 1940 pipe.