English Estates: Dunhill Ruby Bark (4103) (2007) Tobacco Pipe

Perhaps no shape in the pipe making world is more iconic than Dunhill's legendary "03" Billiard. Possessed of a supple bowl and arrow-straight shank and stem, the profile of the "03" is as elegant as it is traditional. Furthermore, the perfect proportions superbly balance the composition, an indicator of why the Billiard shape is so timeless. This particular "03" is rendered in hearty Group 4 size and is dressed in Dunhill's Ruby Bark finish.

Dunhill's Ruby Bark finish is one that's gone through a fairly extensive evolution since its inception in 1972. It began as the Redbark and has always remained a red-stained sandblast, but the color was brightened a few years after its introduction before Dunhill returned to the original, darker hue in 1976. Eventually, though, the Redbark was discontinued in 1987. After a hiatus of several decades, the same ruby-stained sandblast was reimagined in the form of today's Ruby Bark finish, adding to the rich aesthetic crisp accents of sterling silver for a colorful presentation that still retains a high level of formality.