G.W. SIMS Special

England, 1960-70s

G.W. Sims (just the modest G.W., though some consider that he was George) is known from the first half of the XX century, and the first pipes of the artisan (and at times a repairman) were marked even more modestly – “GWS”. According to some sources, G. W. used to work for Charatan’s (that is clearly visible on some Sims pipes) and for Barling (that is also not excluded). But finally he found himself as an independent tobacconist and an owner of a little shop in Northern London which existed till 1980. “G.W. Sims was one of the few English pipe makers who produced Danish style freehands carved from specially selected plateaux briar. Mr. Sims willingly made pipes to personal specifications”. (Pipedia). Some customers made a long way from other English cities to purchase wonderful G.W. Sims pipes for a collection.

This handmade G.W. Sims pipe comes approximately from the 1960s and represents an exceptional case, when except the standard stamping “G.W. Sims \ LONDON MADE”) the pipe is also marked “SPECIAL”. The sample is really of a great quality and excellent condition!

The pipe markings are “G. W. Sims \ LONDON MADE \ SPECIAL”. The length is 13.3 cm (5.24″) and the bowl’s height is 4.4 cm (1.73″). External diameter of the bowl is 3.7 cm (1.46″), internal diameter is 1.9 cm (0.75″). The depth is 3.7 cm (1.46″) and this pipe weighs 44 gr. Briar, vulcanite stem, no filter.  The pipe was moderately smoked and well preserved.