English Estates: Dunhill's Shell Patent (7) (1932) Tobacco Pipe

This vintage Billiard by Dunhill is dated to 1932, putting it among Dunhill's highly-prized patent era pipes. Its build is modest, featuring a slender bowl that stands with an upright posture. Transitioning from the bowl is an abbreviated shank that pairs with a proportionally lengthier tapered stem. For added practicality, the stummel's underside is flattened, allowing the pipe to sit reliably. Dunhill's iconic Shell Briar sandblast dresses the stummel, completing this pipe's vintage ensemble with a dark, rugged presentation.

The Shell Briar's addition to the Dunhill catalog was a pivotal moment in pipe-smoking history. Before 1917, pipes with sandblasted finishes had never been made, and Alfred Dunhill's innovative mind created arguably the most popular finish for pipes today when he unveiled the Shell Briar. With its dark, reserved color palette and delightful texture, it's no surprise that it's still wildly popular over a century later.