Dunhill: Ring Grain (840) (ODA) (F/T) (2019) Tobacco Pipe

Most "800" series pipes we've seen from Dunhill come through the estate market, making this brand new 2019 piece quite the rare sight. The "800" series features classic shapes whose overall size has been increased considerably, and as such, like in the case of this "840," these briars also often earn an ODA designation. This particular number is an emboldened bent Billiard with over two inches of chamber depth, yet all in a form that has scaled quite well proportionally — the same clean lines and elegant curves of the traditional pipe-chart standard well-maintained throughout.

Having earned the English marque's prestigious Ring Grain designation, this Dunhill piece wears a particularly choice iteration of the Shell Briar sandblast — displaying stunning waves of ring grain across the stummel. 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.