Peterson: Deluxe System Dark Smooth (20FB) P-Lip Tobacco Pipe

In the Deluxe System series, Peterson's "304" and "306" are stamped "20FB" and "11FB," respectively: Both designs were introduced to Peterson's shape chart in 1992 and were the first new System pipes since the "301," "302," and "303" were featured in the 1978 catalog. The "304" and "306" also boast flattened heels, allowing them to sit upright while still offering the comfortable posture of a bent pipe. While most Peterson shapes change numbers when featured outside the System line, these two flat-bottomed forms remain constant across series, except when rendered in the Deluxe line. Presented here is the "20FB," being a touch smaller than the "11FB," catering to pipe smokers' personal preferences.

Peterson's System pipe is one of the Irish marque's most celebrated and historic innovations, boasting patents dating back to 1890. The System is comprised of three aspects: an army mount, internal condensation reservoir, and the graduated bore P-Lip mouthpiece (though Peterson does offer fishtail versions to accommodate smokers' preferences). Being the only externally visible of the three components, the military mount allows the pipe to be broken down even while hot, reinforcing the shank. The other two parts, the internal reservoir and graduated bore, are found within the pipe itself — both working in tandem to remove moisture from the smoke. Such a construction requires a slightly different process when cleaning a System pipe, and results in a more flavorful, drier smoke. The Deluxe stamp first appeared on System pipes in 1940, but the design itself dates to Peterson's earliest years, with examples found in the 1896 and 1906 catalogs. With the exception of the extremely rare Supreme, it has always marked the highest tier of System pipe. Unlike the System Standard line, Deluxe System pipes feature sterling silver mounts — Peterson's silverwork being a significant source of pride and renown for the factory. Boasting select-grade briar, the Deluxe System also benefits from space-fitting stems, evocative of old-school System pipes. This aspect, while never patented, is a prominent Peterson innovation; these stems were "never intended to go quite home," the space between the mount and stem base gradually decreasing with prolonged use. Furthermore, the Deluxe System showcases Peterson's "chimney": an aluminum fitment that extends the tenon past the chamber's airway for optimal System performance. This particular piece is presented here in a dark, smooth finish, featuring a smoky contrast stain that highlights the briar's grain patterns underneath. The System series, and especially the Deluxe System, is a testament to Peterson's influence on the pipe industry at large, and its continued popularity over the past 100-plus years bespeaks the company's reputation for quality.