England
Some people are valued and welcomed on their notable ancestors. Some other people are notable ancestors themselves in the essence for their talent, or a capital, or a power… Something similar happens to pipes too. Some are valued on family belonging to a known factory and a great name. And others are “notable ancestors” themselves, even without a loud name. The name will be valued later.
Our today’s pipe managed to run with the hare and hunt with the hounds. Generally the Special De Luxe series is a family line, very stylish and sustained. But the pipe nomenclature is in line with the new owner’s policy (Alfred Dunhill). So by our estimation the pipe was produced between 1967 (when Hardcastle Pipe Limited was merged with Parker) and 1977-1982 (when entire production was consolidated and pipe grades and series were changed according to the new owner’s strategy).
The pipe markings are “HARDCASTLE \ SPECIAL DE LUXE \ 8”. The length is 13.3 cm, bowl’s hight is 4.0 cm. External and internal diameters of the bowl are 2.5 cm and 1.8 cm. The depth is 3.3 cm and this pipe weights 27 gr. Briar, vulcanite stem, no filter. The chamber was protected with the break in paste.
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