English Estates: Dunhill Root Briar Bent Bulldog (DR) (B2) (F/T) (1974) Tobacco Pipe

This piece from English marque Dunhill is a truly timeless one: a muscular iteration of the profile whose firm lines and thick build bely a petite overall footprint of less than five inches long. A diamond-shaped shank and stem combination comprise the aft side here, taking on a consistent taper that runs from the wide transition to the button and boasts a curling, comfortable smoking posture. Lightweight and eminently portable, this pipe comes to us bereft of a discernible shape number, though it's certainly a vintage piece: having been crafted in 1974. The clean lines of the pipe continue into the bowl, here supported by a rounded heel as the walls flare out to a high-set waist marked with twin beadlines which additionally defines an easy taper to the rim. Dressed in the warm tones of the superlative Root Briar finish, this piece has additionally earned the "DR" stamp, designating it as a Dead Root pipe.

Dunhill's "DR" designation on certain Root Briars signifies a special class of pipes: Dead Root. Like all Root Briars, these pieces maintain flawless briar, but with especially choice grain on display. Before the Root Briar line's introduction in 1931, "DR" was stamped on Bruyere pipes that showed handsome grain, but Dunhill wanted a more grain-defining finish, leading to the creation of the Root Briar. Starting in 1979, The White Spot extended the grade further — replacing the letter grading system with stars, increasing in prestige from one to seven. A Dead Root pipe represents the best of Dunhill's standard selection, yet remains quite rare compared to the English marque's overall lineup.