Peterson: System Spigot Smooth (303) P-Lip Tobacco Pipe

The System version of the iconic "03," Peterson's "303" bent Apple maintains the extra-stout shank and robust transition that combine to define the Peterson aesthetic, while trading the Irish marque's typically tubular bowl style with the rounded form of a classic Apple. The plumpness of the bowl translates well to the hearty transition and shank, lending the composition a tight-knit, muscular aesthetic. It's one of the marque's most charming, well-known shapes, and it's easy to see why — whether hanging from the jaw or filling the palm, it's a versatile smoker that seamlessly marries traditional appeal with Peterson's recognizable personality.

Peterson's System pipe is one of the Irish marque's most celebrated and historic innovations, boasting patents dating back to 1890. The System comprises 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. Here, the added durability is thanks to regal sterling silver, with the added benefit of silver reinforcement about the tenon in a spigot mount arrangement. 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. Dating back over a century, Peterson's spigot mounts are among the best exhibitions of the Irish marque's quality silverwork — such silverwork having informed Peterson's identity to nearly the same degree as the System pipe. In the System Spigot line, those two definitive Peterson elements are on proud display, combining the marque's renowned System engineering with their superlative silverwork. It's a testament to the company's influence on the pipe industry at large, and the System's continued popularity over the past 100-plus years bespeaks the company's reputation for quality, with this particular example dressed in a smooth finish and rich, chestnut stain.