English Estates: Dunhill Bruyere (41MM) (1977) Tobacco Pipe

This is an intriguing piece from Dunhill, a "41MM" bent Billiard, with "MM" likely denoting the military mount paired to the pipe's shank. Said shank is extremely short, lifting out of a wide transition to meet said mount, a domed, flaring fitment of vulcanite that pairs the shank to a matching saddle stem with an extended base. Up front, the bowl stands on a fairly firm heel, supporting its walls as they make a comfortably plump arc to the rim, with plenty of curvature to appreciate in hand. Dressed in the warm, rich stain of the Bruyere finish, the stummel here features a timeless palette and showcases handsome grain throughout.

The Bruyere was Alfred Dunhill's original finish upon launching his brand of premium pipes and smoking accessories and was the only Dunhill finish from 1910 until 1917. Even after the addition of other finishes, the Bruyere maintained a high level of popularity, becoming synonymous with what is thought of, even today, as the quintessential pipe. To achieve the iconic, ruby hue and saturation, a skilled craftsman painstakingly layers particular stains in a precise manner, then meticulously polishes the pipe to a high luster. The final result is, simply put, timeless.