I have just been given my great grandfathers pipe. it is made from bakelite but i am unsure if it is complete. should there be some kind of protective layer in the bowl ???
With as thin as the walls are, I'd guess it maybe had a meerschaum insert. However, it looks like it's been smoked without one. One way to maybe tell would be to see if the smoke hole enters the chamber a bit high. I would think if it does that would suggest it had an insert.
I am going to boston for the weekend and will be taking it to L.J. Peretti Company to ask them what they think, the insert makes a lot of sense and hopefully i can get this in working order some day.