HALL & FITZGERALD Craftsman De Luxe Rustic

January 25, 2018December 24, 2018

England, 1950-70s

The lovat shape was initiated in early XX century and they say Colonel Henry Fraser, Lord Lovat smoked such pipes so the name was adopted in his honour. Several sources of information state that Gerald Grundging & Company was the first manufacturer stamped the name of Lord Lovat on the pipes of this shape. Another sources claim that BBB invented lovat pipes and produced lovats long time.

But this time we offer a lovat pipe made by another old good British company. According to Wilczak and Colwell Craftsman pipes were produced in England by Ben Wade and Hall & Fitzgerald. But neither the shape nor the nomenclature are similar to Ben Wade products, no matter – family times or lane era. Therefore we’re pretty sure it’s made by H&F – one of very old, respectable and famous English manufactures, well known since the end of the XIX century and produced wonderful pipes almost until the 1980s. You may compare the nomenclature to their Clifton pipes to dispel doubts.

The pipe markings are “CRAFTSMAN \ DE LUXE RUSTIC”. The length is 13.1 cm (5.16″), bowl’s height is 4.6 cm (1.81″). External diameter of the bowl is 3.5 cm (1.38″), internal diameter is 1.9 cm (0.75″). The depth is 3.8 cm (1.5″) and this pipe weights 32 gr. Briar, vulcanite stem, no filter.

CHARATAN'S
CHARATAN’S MAKE Selected F. H. lovat
November 12, 2017December 26, 2018
England, 1960s It’s perhaps the best example how a simple and almost purely geometric shape can turn out into an unexpectedly wonderful exciting work of art. A little bit freehand, a little bit lovat and eye catching straight grain briar – the very high grade (“Selected” was next to the incomparable highest “Supreme” line) Lane…
Read More CHARATAN’S MAKE Selected F. H. lovat
JOHN REDMAN
JOHN REDMAN Redonian De Luxe 133
October 31, 2021January 27, 2023
England According to catalogues Redonian De Luxe is “An attractive line of first quality Briars supplied principally in rich Walnut colour in a wide range of shapes in bags and single boxes”. But this pipe is a very interesting and unusual exception from the rule: it’s made in natural “virgin” finish without any staining at…
Read More JOHN REDMAN Redonian De Luxe 133
CIVIC
CIVIC Matt De Luxe 016
February 20, 2017December 30, 2018
England From the first look the pipe reminds Comoy’s creatures – well selected briar with a wonderful almost perfect straight grain and typical for Comoy’s contrast staining. And this impression seems to be reasonable – the pipe was made by Cadogan Investments – the company, which obtained not only Comoy’s brand name, but materials, technologies…
Read More CIVIC Matt De Luxe 016
DUNHILL
DUNHILL Shell 21111
March 18, 2016January 17, 2019
2 Comments
England, 1978 The sandblast finish is considered to be invented by Dunhill, at least this fact was confirmed with patents of 1917 – in Great Britain and 1920 – in the USA. From the beginning Algerian briar was used for blasted pipes as much softer and providing deeper and more attractive finish. Although in 1960-70…
Read More DUNHILL Shell 21111
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
ASTLEY'S
ASTLEYS 56
September 12, 2013February 12, 2019
England The pipe markings are “ASTLEYS \ 109 JERMYN ST \ LONDON” and “56” . The length is 12.5 cm, bowl’s height is 4.7 cm. External diameter of the bowl is 3.0 cm, internal diameter is 2.0 cm. The depth is 4.1 cm and this pipe weights 31 gr. Briar, vulcanite stem, no filter.
Read More ASTLEYS 56