Peterson: Irish Made Army (127) Fishtail Tobacco Pipe

When first released, the "127" shape was designated as the "D15." Originally produced for Peterson's Danish distributor, Larsen and Peterson, around 1996, the "D" line focuses on traditional Danish shaping, creating shapes that are more slender and elegantly curved compared to the hearty Irish style typically personified in Peterson's portfolio. The "D15," or "127" now, is an angled take on the bent Dublin — the transition sharply curled to create a prominent, almost pointed heel below the flaring bowl. Per Danish shaping cues, the lines and curves are soft and sleek, the form marked by trim proportions and a forward-urging dynamism.

The Irish Made Army line from Peterson is devoted to the military mount. The construction requires a metal cap around the shank end and a stem devoid of tenon, the tapered base of the stem fitting directly into the mortise. The metal mount adds reinforcement to the briar, and the lack of a tenon ensures a snug fit unaffected by varying temperatures or years of wear. The design's lineage and moniker date back to WWI when soldiers would repair cracked shanks with spent shell casings, the extra durability also allowing them to break the pipe down at a moment's notice without fear of damaging the pipe while it was still hot. Practical and aesthetically handsome, the motif has lasted the better part of a century — showcased here in the smoky, smooth stain and flashy nickel mount of Peterson's Irish Made Army series.