J.M. Bent With Shank Stamped "Turned Prior To 1900" !?

[Humblepipe]

Gents,

Just acquired this pipe. Right side of shank is stamped solely "J.M." Left side of pipe is stamped "IMPORTED BRIAR" over "TURNED PRIOR TO 1900". It has a P-Lip type stem. The only reference to a "J.M." I found was John Mackenzie. pipephil.eu corroborates that John Mackenzie pipes carried the initials J.M., but the font was not an exact match. Pipedia offers that Mackennzie could be a "BBB sub-brand / second, may also have been produced in the Irish Republic". I saw no info at all in "Who Made That Pipe?".

I am most intrigued by the "Turned Prior To 1900" stamping, as I have never seen that stamping before. Anyone have knowledge of said stamping? Was it common at a particular point in time/era? Any additional info about this pipe? It is not a small bent at 7" long. That seems rather long for a pipe that might be very old. It is meant for my personal collection. I will take her for a spin tomorrow night to make the final determination.

Thanks in advance for any insight!

 

[anotherbob]

lovely pipe by the way. Really like the way it is carved. Can't tell if it is the lighting but the grain seems a bit subdued (i.e. can't really comment on it.)

 

[Humblepipe]

lovely pipe by the way. Really like the way it is carved. Can't tell if it is the lighting but the grain seems a bit subdued (i.e. can't really comment on it.)

I take 99% of my photos in natural light and pipes look best here in the redwoods in the AM. I was too excited to wait, so took the above photos at dusk. Here is another one under a lamp... lighting not optimal, but you can see the graining is not too bad.

 

[anotherbob]

I like the grain not wowed by it but it's pretty and could enjoy looking at it a bit, wouldn't have to try and show it off to people that don't care.

 

[Humblepipe]

I like the grain not wowed by it but it's pretty and could enjoy looking at it a bit, wouldn't have to try and show it off to people that don't care.

Hahaha... I can't disagree.

 

[Ahi Ka]

John Middleton, as in the tobacco brand would be my guess:

Middleton - Pipedia

pipedia.org

Also, of interest there was one which sold recently on eBay with the same JM stamp and plip type stem

Beautiful Refurbished Sterling Silver J.M. (John Martin, Philadelphia) Dublin | eBay - https://www.ebay.com/itm/185492436273

 

[Humblepipe]

John Middleton, as in the tobacco brand would be my guess:

Middleton - Pipedia

pipedia.org

Also, of interest there was one which sold recently on eBay with the same JM stamp and plip type stem

Beautiful Refurbished Sterling Silver J.M. (John Martin, Philadelphia) Dublin | eBay - https://www.ebay.com/itm/185492436273

Thanks, Ahi Ki! I have handled a number of John Middleton pipes over the years and did not make the potential connection. Of course, all the ones I handled were stamped with the full name, "John Middleton". I have included an old ad I lifted from Pipedia that shows a strong match to my pipe's branding ("J.M.") and looks to establih it is a John Middleton, in case anyone in the future comes across this posting and needs the info. The ad hints that J.M. bowls were made in France and pipes fully assembled in the U.S. That makes sense when it comes to my pipe as the stummel to my eyes is very "French". I obviously nerd-out about this stuff (background of pipes). Apologies if it is annoying

 

[OzPiper]

Lovely bowl shape.
The bulbous shank is remiscent of those on some 19th century meerschaums pipes.

 

[scloyd]

Nice looking pipe. I like the TURNED PRIOR TO 1900 stamp. Hopefully someone can answer your question about the stamping.

 

[TheIronMonkey]

That’s a cool looking pipe. I guess there’s nothing new under the sun—this makes me think of the Ropp Vintage and Etudiant lines that used old stummels that were turned in the 1950s to make new pipes in the last few years.

 

[Humblepipe]

I am leaning toward this being a 1920s or so made pipe. Even so, it is interesting to think (whenever the pipe was made), it was "turned" and then stored until sometime in the future. Briar, like wine, whiskey, bourbon is more valued after its aged. Still, this is the first time I have seen the specific stamping "TURNED PRIOR TO 1900"... I am intrigued.

 

[Ahi Ka]

I’m posting this here for interest sake. Band is not hallmarked but case does say 1908, as does the college class year.

Vintage Antique 1908 Sterling Silver Smoking Pipe Tobacco Mouthpiece Case Old | eBay

<p>Up for sale is a vintage antique 1908 presentation smoking device mouthpiece pipe in original leather covered case. Monogrammed, marked “sterling” silver mount. On the front bears sterling silver overlay “PC 08”. Overall good condition. The case is showing some wear. Please see photos as part...

www.ebay.co.uk