CHARATAN’S Make Special 012

July 9, 2016January 10, 2019

England, 1950s

A nice classical English lovat pipe made during the family, “pre-Lane” era. You may see that the shape number is located on the left side of the shank (from the smoker’s perspective) together with other stampings, what is typical for the Ruben era. So the pipe was made in 1950s, hardly much earlier: the Special series was more characteristic for the last “family” decade and the Lane period.

The pipe markings are “CHARATAN’S MAKE \ LONDON. ENGLAND \ SPECIAL”, “012”. The length is 13.2 cm (5.2″), bowl’s height is 4.8 cm (1.89″). External diameter of the bowl is 3.8 cm (1.5″), internal diameter is 1.9 cm (0.75″). The depth is 3.7 cm (1.46″) and this pipe weights 35 gr. Briar, vulcanite stem, no filter. The top of the bowl was slightly corrected to remove a few chips around it. The chamber has been protected with a break-in coat.

CHARATAN'S
CHARATAN’S MAKE Aristocrat 61
August 7, 2025August 7, 2025
England, 1950s This pipe clearly dates from the final years of Charatan’s “family” period: the shape number still appears on the same side as the rest of the nomenclature, and the circled “L” began to appear on Charatan’s pipes shortly before the company was acquired by Herman Lane, primarily on products exported to the USA….
Read More CHARATAN’S MAKE Aristocrat 61
CHARATAN'S
CHARATAN’S Make After Hours
July 9, 2016January 10, 2019
England, 1960s An unique and fellow-less Charatan’s Make pipe of their best period (“Lane era”), i.e. late 1960s – early 1970s, when the glory of Charatan’s eclipsed all competitors, including Dunhill. The pipe of such the shape and grain could become “Supreme” or at least “Selected” grade. In this case briar block was too short…
Read More CHARATAN’S Make After Hours
CHARATAN'S
CHARATAN’S Make Executive
December 1, 2015January 22, 2019
2 Comments
England, 1960s A Charatan’s pipe of “the second Lane era” (1965-76), the period of the brightest blossoming of this brand, delightful shapes and grains which eclipsed all others pipe makers including Dunhill. There’s no shape number on the pipe thus it was made by one of the leading carvers at this factory regardless any catalogues….
Read More CHARATAN’S Make Executive
CHARATAN'S
CHARATAN’S Make Perfection 3
February 17, 2015January 31, 2019
England, 1960s Once at the time of wild capitalism in the Wild West one businessman decided to decorate his “market” with an advertising. He chose an advertising slogan “Buy only from John!” without any deep philosophizing, set it up over the shop and went to sleep and dream huge profits. But in the morning Mr….
Read More CHARATAN’S Make Perfection 3
... MORE AMERICAN
L&H STERN Barrister
February 19, 2017September 26, 2022
USA, 1950s A pipe born in a house with a view on Manhattan! Ludwig Stern was a successful pipe manufacturer since 1893. In 1911 he reorganized his company along with his brother Hugo. The new rebranded company “L&H Stern Smoking Pipes and Holders” initially resided on Manhattan, but moved to Brooklyn in 1920. Except the…
Read More L&H STERN Barrister
BARLING
BARLING’S MAKE Ye Olde Wood 447 EXEL
April 21, 2016January 14, 2019
England, 1950s A decent size traditional English lovat pipe made at Barling’s family factory between 1946 and 1962, i.e. during the pre-transition period. The arched BARLING’S MAKE logo is already of a full size, larger than before WWII. Additionally there’s a three-digit shape number (447). The logo on the original stem hasn’t remained well visible…
Read More BARLING’S MAKE Ye Olde Wood 447 EXEL