English Estates: Dunhill Shell Briar (61091) (1977) (Aftermarket Band) Tobacco Pipe

Executed in the large Group 6 size, this "61091" from Dunhill exhibits many of the defining characteristics of the standard Canadian while simultaneously flouting other longheld conventions. Like countless other Canadians, this pipe's shank is ovoid in shape and proportionately long with respect to the bowl's height. Its stem is tapered, the transition is placed low, and the shank is wide enough to let the pipe rest upright during breaks from smoking. Two features in particular make this pipe stand out: a particularly thin shank whose diminutive height further emphasizes how tall the bowl is by lowering the transition even further, and a vulcanite stem significantly longer than the usual truncated bit that punctuates such a pipe. A metal, aftermarket band accents the aft of the shank, providing a bright contrast to the smoky Shell Briar finish and the black 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.