Peterson: Christmas 2023 Sandblasted (338) Fishtail Tobacco Pipe

Peterson's iconic shaping style is often described as "tubular" and muscular, and the Irish marque's "338" bent Billiard does well to exemplify this convention — being the same design as the "313" but outside of the System series. The bowl rises tall and upright, posing a cylindrical, tube-like disposition, while the shank and transition retain the aforementioned hearty and robust proportions. That said, the overall length remains quite compact, and the sinuous bend provides a comfortable clenching posture — the gesture of the stem and curling heel calling to mind the profile of the iconic "05" shape but without the bowl's flare at the rim.

Peterson's Christmas Pipes have been an annual tradition since 2009, the Irish marque dressing a selection of their iconic shapes in appropriately festive fashion. In recent years, Peterson has accented this series with copper, though for 2023, they showcase the skill of their silversmiths by accenting the pipes with broad bands of intricately etched silver. These silver bands feature inset beadlines around the Peterson logo and provide a wealth of contrast against the stummel's finish. In addition to the fine display of silverwork, these pipes exhibit Peterson's talent in the blasting cabinet by dressing the stummel in a craggy sandblast that's been stained a deep, rich red: evocative of some of the earliest sandblasts to appear in the pipe world. What results is a finish that is utterly timeless, reminiscent of pipes crafted in the early 20th century and embodying an elegant character that's endlessly charming.