English Estates: Dunhill Shell Patent (O) (1940) (Aftermarket Band) Tobacco Pipe

Dated 1940, this vintage "O" Bulldog from Dunhill is an elegant and sophisticated rendition of the shape-chart standard. Lightweight and compact, this pipe is an ideal option for travel and on-the-go smoking, coming in at just over five inches in length. Up front, the walls of the stout bowl flare to a crisp ridgeline before tapering inward to a flat rim that looks into a condensed tobacco chamber. An acute transition gives way to a trim shank-and-stem arrangement that showcases the signature diamond shape of a Bulldog. The shank extends toward a tapered vulcanite mouthpiece as an ornate metallic accent band connects the two at the junction, giving the pipe a pop of shine. The stummel is labeled Shell Patent, an older version of Dunhill's Shell Briar, and pairs well with the inky pigment of the stem.

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.

Note: The silver band is a replacement, and the price has been adjusted accordingly.