Peterson: Deluxe System Smooth (8s) P-Lip Tobacco Pipe

In the Deluxe System series, Peterson's "313" bent Billiard is stamped "8s." It's a staple within the System series, dating back to Peterson's first catalog in 1896, and outside the System line, the design is designated as the "338." The Irish marque's iconic shaping style is often described as "tubular" and muscular, and the "8s" does well to exemplify this convention. 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 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 smooth contrast stain, showing off the briar's gorgeous natural grain in a vivid color palette. 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.