Dunhill star question

[Puff Daddy]

I've seen a few Dunhill pipes with the stars following the nomenclature but something on this pipe just doesn't seem right.



It's from this auction currently running on EBay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=370155118081

I didn't think they put star or flame designations on shell pipes, did they? And all of the stars I've seen looked liked asterisks, not actual stars. I'm no Dunhill expert, but am I right in thinking something is amiss with this pipes purported pedigree?

 

[LL]

I don't know what a star means (nor have I seen one before), but the rest of the pipe looks right in every detail.

For all the fanfare and fun of Dunhill stamping they were far from consistent, of course. I wouldn't worry about that one if you are drawn to it. The only nit is the stem/shank joint shows a bit of buffer radiusing on top.

 

[Puff Daddy]

I don't know what a star means (nor have I seen one before).

You know, like DR 2 star which actually looks like DR** when stamped.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ENGLISH-ESTATE-PIPE:-DUNHILL-DR-3-STAR-ROOT-2004_W0QQitemZ370147035797QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20090120?IMSfp=TL090120112007r36266

 

[LL]

I've seen lots of THOSE asterisk-type stars. of course, I meant not the geometrically more precise "pointy" kind.

John Loring almost certainly knows what's up here, but he doesn't do the forum thing. Mike Hagley does, though, and they don't call him the "Loring of the South" for nothing. lol I'll shoot him a link to this thread.

 

[Puff Daddy]

I've seen lots of THOSE asterisk-type stars. of course, I meant not the geometrically more precise "pointy" kind.

Yeah, me too. Was thinking it had to be put on there for some reason by someone other than Dunhill, but I'm not certain enough to make that claim, only enough to ask the question. Definitely doesn't look like any star I've ever seen on a Dunhill and I don't think I've ever seen a star on a shell......

 

[hagley]

I have owned several Dunhills with stars stamped on the shank. I suspected that these were pipes that had been replaced under warranty. I spoke with John Loring several times about the stars, and he did not know what they represented, but ageed that possibly it indicated a replacement pipe.

I contacted Dunhill several years ago about the star, and they had no idea what they meant.

I have never seen anything written about stars on Dunhills. It certainly does not represent any form of grading, in my opinion.

This is one of the things that make collecting Dunhills fun.

Mike Hagley

 

[Puff Daddy]

Interesting. Thanks for chiming in Mike, I'm thankful for that information. Might be worth picking that pipe up just for the uniqueness factor (and that it's a right nice pipe anyhow).

 

[hagley]

Personally, I wouldn't buy the pipe just because of the star. If you otherwise like the pipe, then go for it. I don't think that the star ads any value.

Mike

 

[Puff Daddy]

I'm interested depending on what it ends up going for, but was apprehensive if the star was a mark made by anyone other than Dunhill. Will have to see what it goes for. There are a couple of 60's era 659's on EBay right now that are quite clean.

 

[hagley]

I believe that the star was indeed stamped at the factory.

Mike

 

[prokenny]

the same question about "star" on the dunhiil pipe stem
i was ask the dunhill customer service .

the answer is

In answer to your enquiry, may we inform you that based on the images the lighter looks authentic.
With regards to the stamping, please be advised that the star is not original dunhill stamping,
it seems to have been added by an authourised retailer to prove that the pipe was purchased from their store.