HILSON Caribic 303

Belgium - Netherlands, 1980s

A pipe from the very old and highly respected European manufacturer. The foundation of the Hillson brand was laid in the City of Bree, Belgium, in 1846 when the clay pipes where widely offered, but until the end of the XIX century the company becomes a famous supplier of briar pipes. In the XX century Hillson is already a highly popular manufacturer and produces mostly machine made pipe though they were highly appreciated both for the quality and for skilful and attractive design.

In the 1980s Hilson faced financial problems as many other pipe producers that time and was acquired by the nearest competitor – Elbert Gubbels & Zonen B.V. from Netherlands well known for Big Ben pipes. Nowadays only separate releases of Hilson models made in Netherlands are offered. The pipe we’re offering today comes the most probably from the post acquisition times since it doesn’t have the “Made in Belgium” stamping.

The pipe markings are “HILSON \ CARIBIC”, “303”. The length is 14.2 cm (5.59″), bowl’s height is 5.0 cm (1.97″). External diameter of the bowl is 4.3 cm (1.69″), internal diameter is 1.9 cm (0.75″). The depth is 4.1 cm (1.61″) and this pipe weights 56 gr. Briar, vulcanite stem, 9 mm adapter.