HARDCASTLE Royal Crown Windsor Giant

December 26, 2015January 21, 2019

England, 1930s

A very interesting large bowl billiard pipe from the Hardcastle’s family period (before the complete acquisition by Dunhill in the 1946). However Dunhill is already invisibly present as the major shareholder (49% of stocks), but doesn’t influence technical and commercial issues of the company. The pipe was made most likely before the WWII, such the shape was very popular at that time.

The pipe markings are “ROYAL CROWN \ WINDSOR \ GIANT”, “MADE IN LONDON \ ENGLAND”. The length is 14.5 cm (5.71″), bowl’s hight is 5.1 cm (2″). External and internal diameters of the bowl are 4.1 cm (1.61″) and 2.0 cm (0.79″). The depth is 4.2 cm (1.65″) and this pipe weights 54 gr. Briar, vulcanite stem, aluminium stinger. The chamber has been protected with a break-in coat.

HARDCASTLE
HARDCASTLE’S Reject (2)
August 9, 2016January 10, 2019
England, 1946-67 Like many other companies Hardcastle was a traditional family pipe business. In 1946 Alfred Dunhill bought the shares turning Hardcastle into a 100% Dunhill subsidiary. But untill 1967 family management of the company retained a certain independence. This pipe was made most probably between 1946 and 1967: the stamping is still arched but…
Read More HARDCASTLE’S Reject (2)
HARDCASTLE
HARDCASTLE Special De Luxe 8
October 12, 2014February 1, 2019
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”…
Read More HARDCASTLE Special De Luxe 8
... MORE ENGLISH
Made in London large bent
March 15, 2018October 1, 2022
England An absolutely convincing large & heavy English bent pipe. Such the stamping (MADE IN LONDON \ ENGLAND) was used by many great makers including Parker-Hardcastle and Orlik, we don’t have a convincing proof of the specific pipe manufacturer.
Read More Made in London large bent
HARDCASTLE
HARDCASTLE’S Dryconomy 72
May 11, 2023May 11, 2023
England, 1930s The stamping “BRITISH MADE” clearly indicates that this pipe was produced during the Hardcastle family’s ownership of the company, prior to Alfred Dunhill’s complete acquisition in 1948. Given that Hardcastle’s factory was unable to obtain briar during WWII, it is most likely that the pipe dates back to the 1930s. The tenon is…
Read More HARDCASTLE’S Dryconomy 72
HARDCASTLE
HARDCASTLE’S Old Bruyere 91
March 18, 2016January 15, 2019
England, 1946-67 An extra long canadian pipe from the “family”, “pre-Dunhill” period of the company. Some producers, such as Comoy’s or Peterson put XXL stamp willingly in such cases, bearing in mind love of consumer to large and convincing devices. But in those old times (the pipe was made precisely before 1946, and most likely…
Read More HARDCASTLE’S Old Bruyere 91
HARDCASTLE
HARDCASTLE Special De Luxe 4
August 9, 2016January 10, 2019
England, 1946-67 Very nice and rare Hardcastle’s pipe made approximately between 1946 and 1967! Almost full straight grain! Like many other companies Hardcastle was a traditional family pipe business. In 1946 Alfred Dunhill bought the shares turning Hardcastle into a 100% Dunhill subsidiary. But until 1967 family management of the company retained a certain independence….
Read More HARDCASTLE Special De Luxe 4