City de Luxe 9438 Restoration

[riff raff]

I love the GBD 9438 shape and couldn't resist when this City de Luxe version was listed on Ebay.
The pipe didn't take much to clean it up, the process took just about two hours. This one is a twin-bore stem, a first one my rack.

I detailed the entire process on Steve's "Reborn Pipes" blog along with additional pictures:
http://rebornpipes.wordpress.com/2013/08/18/city-de-luxe-9438/

Here's a few pictures.

Before:




After:

 

[Fatman]

You did a great job on that pipe. Looks like a good time is ahead smoking her

 

[Anonymous]

Al, if you see this in the next hour or so...

So this 1908 French pipe with an ugly pic and under the grime looks new. Might be a heck of a Algerian Briar when cleaned and redone. Right now it is at $3 w. no bids.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PAPAS-OLD-PIPE-EANTET-BRUYERS-/221266725431?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3384864a37

 

[herbinedave]

Heckuva lot of birdseye on that chubby bad boy Al!  Great resto, enjoy!!!

 

[monbla256]

NICE JOB Riff ! I love all the birdseye one finds on the older GBD's !!

 

[Brewdude]

And another great restoration Al!

 


Cheers,

RR

 

[Briar Spirit]

Got yourself a winner there Al, forgive my ignorance, twin bore stem, what's that, is that a stem literally having two draught holes!?

 

[riff raff]

Thanks guys. Yak also sent me some restoration tips to try out on the next victim.  

I was a little apprehensive to smoke this one.  That twin-bore stem had a very tight draw and just barely passes a thin cleaner thru the button end.  I opened up the pipe at the tenon a few drill size steps, to the y-junction.  I also used a needle file to slightly open/funnel the button end.  I smoked a bowl of EMP in it yesterday and it was fine, a one match affair.  It will be more fussy to clean than my other regular stemmed 9438's.  I still think that twin-bore stem is a gimmick and I see no real reason for having it.  

I wonder if the stem could be straightened and re-drilled thru the center (beyond that plastic plug).  That would solve the cleaning issues.   Could it be done and am I brave enough?

Kirk:  here's a shot of the twin bore stem.  Radice uses the twin-bore in a lot of their pipes.  I've never known GBD to use this stem and this is my first City de Luxe.

 

[Fr_Tom]

I took a pipe for a stem replacement once, and they talked me into a twin bore. I decided I did not really like it. It was supposed to hold up better for clenchers. The next time I got it replaced, I went back to the standard stem. It seemed to me as if the material was a little thin for the holes over by the edge , and it lasted about the same as a regular one...

 

[Idlefellow]

Very nice work, as usual!

 

[cigrmaster]

Al, another great piece of work, looks fantastic. I hope it is a great smoker for you, another great addition to the collection.

 

[SpeedyPete]

I love the old GBD's and I have a number of them. But, I do not have one like this!!

Congrats on a nice job done and finding a jewel like this. :cheers: