Dunhill: Shell Briar with Silver (3403) (2021) Tobacco Pipe

While the bent Billiard design is typically identified by the "02" on Dunhill's shape chart, this rendition possesses an "03" designation, which denotes a straight Billiard. The discrepancy is explained by the "4" in the four-digit stamping, which indicates a lithe, downturned stem, similar to that of a Prince, and here that stem is fitted to an "03" stummel, adding a subtle curvature to the overall composition. In Group 3 size, this piece pairs a slender, petite bowl a trim, low-set shank-and-stem arrangement. The stummel wears the dark Shell Briar sandblast that showcases some handsome birdseye on either flank of the bowl, while a trim band of sterling silver at the junction adds a dose of ornate flash.

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.