English Estates: Dunhill Tanshell with Silver (4103) Tobacco Pipe

Rendered in Group 4 size, this "03" Billiard from Dunhill possesses a balanced design. The bowl stands firm and upright, formed by straight walls traveling from the heel to a flat rim. Fitted with a silver military mount, an arrow-straight shank transitions from the bowl and pairs to a slender push-style stem of jet-black vulcanite. Dressing the stummel is a warm, crisp sandblast courtesy of Dunhill's Tanshell finish that showcases radiating growth rings across the right flank.

Created in 1951, the Tanshell marked Dunhill's fourth finish behind the Bruyere (1910), Shell Briar (1917), and Root Briar (1931); however, Dunhill didn't complete the "Tanshell" stamp until December 1951, waiting until 1952 to actually introduce the first Tanshell pipes. Considered one of the English marque's rarest, most collectible finishes, the Tanshell boasts a concise sandblast but unlike the dark-stained Shell Briar, the Tanshell is naturally stained, intended to develop a warm patina as it darkens with prolonged use over time.