Cumberland (5202) (2003) Tobacco Pipe

The Dunhill nomenclature for standard shapes of today really isn't any more complicated than looking at the model code for a given, modern-era Harley-Davidson. I take that back, Harley is far more byzantine. First number is the Group size, the last two is the shape number (per example, the last two of this fine briar is 02, indicating a "bent") and the second number from the left gives you the type of bit (1 = tapered, 2 = saddle, 4 = usually indicates that there is an elongation of bit going on, etc). Well and dandy.

Sadly, unless one has poked for a good while in the world of Dunhill, the secret codes that are layered below the obvious ones are a bit harder to kin. unless you have a trusty guide. Here are three of the double-secret, triple-special codes that usually come with an issued Dunhill decoder ring. 1 in the first position means "What the heck? You almost never see this in the US, you might want to consider getting it, even if you hate tiny pipes, because they make excellent trade-bait!". 6 in the second position means "Either someone was pretty drunk at the stamping machine, or it's pretty close to a churchwarden in length" and a 2 at the second position means not only "saddle" but "Though the saddle is enormously popular bit, especially in bent shapes, Dunhill usually makes only about one saddle to ten "other", so I had best give this one some serious consideration". Coming up next week: "Passably logical speculations on why about one out of fifteen Dunhill produced have a shape number that does not exist, nor could ever exist within their stated nomenclature.". No need to thank me, just doin' my job.

--Bear Graves