Mid-Century Smooth (M417) Tobacco Pipe

Part of Ropp's Mid-Century line of Danish-inspired pipes, the "M417" is a striking Freehand design. The bowl features two paneled flanks separated by an arching sweep of briar that runs from heel to transition, giving it an almost spherical look in profile. A broad transition flows into a slender, round shank and a quickly tapered stem. Clean lines and a distinctive silhouette make this pipe immediately eye-catching, while its overall design retains the timeless style for which Ropp is known.

Ropp's Mid-Century series embodies the intersection between the French and Scandinavian pipe making traditions. After WWII, Scandinavian pipe production skyrocketed, infusing the craft with minimalist designs and functional aesthetics. The burgeoning Scandinavian workshops turned to France, the progenitor of pipe tradition, to supply them with the tools and knowledge necessary for escalating the modern pipe making movement. The Mid-Century series is comprised of old-stock stummels originally shaped during that exciting time, which were recently finished at the historic Chapius-Comoy factory. Furthermore, the shapes showcase iconic Scandinavian design cues like sweeping, gestural profiles and towering bowls. Additionally, every Mid-Century pipe wears one of Ropp's signature finishes, either a chocolatey sandblast or smooth auburn stain, with this piece being dressed handsomely in the latter.

Note: While most of our other pipes are photographed individually, these are not, and you may expect some reasonable cosmetic variation between the example we've photographed and the pipe you've received.