GBD Prehistoric Collector Cavalier (Dutch's Pipe!)

[riff raff]

Forum member "Dutch recently contacted me about cleaning up this wonderful GBD Prehistoric Collector in a Cavalier shape. The pipe was in an almost unsmoked condition, so it was a relatively job. I was really impressed with details of this pipe, the bowl top and inside are amazing. The "Hand Cut" stem is every bit as good as a Rad Davis, Roush, or Howell.

Sadly, I discovered a repair had been made to the interior of the shank. But, it appears to have been done properly and the stem fitment is still excellent.

The repair:

Dutch doesn't intend to smoke this one, so that beautiful bowl will remain pristine.

I did a Reborn Pipes blog essay that can be viewed here:
http://rebornpipes.com/2015/01/15/gbd-prehistoric-collector-cavalier/

 

[puros_bran]

Mattia or Jamesislandpipe.com have a sister to this pipe. Can't remember which but I've stared at it a lot. M

Great looking pipe.. Classic design, and a nice blast.

 

[DrumsAndBeer]

Agreed, great blast. Wonderful restoration on that. You don't see a lot of Cavaliers, but this one's perfectly done.

 

[puros_bran]

9 years ago I argued with LL that cavaliers were not 'classic shapes' because in that point in my pipe smoking I'd never seen one...He pulled out half a million 'pipe shape charts' from so many eras and manufacturers that I had to eat crow. Lol.

 

[riff raff]

Mattia or Jamesislandpipe.com have a sister to this pipe. Can't remember which but I've stared at it a lot. M

Great looking pipe.. Classic design, and a nice blast.

It was James Island. That one is great shape,but doesn't have the "Hand Cut" stem stamp, but looks priced right.

I've never seen a GBD like this one with such a finished bowl top and inside. My camera/lighting doesn't do it justice.

 

[pepesdad1]

Wow! What a fine looking pipe.

Good show, Dutch!

 

[Dutch]

I knew Al would be the go to guy on getting this pipe looking fantastic!

I have a large Horry Jameson GBD that is unsmoked as well. I will see if I have any pics of it on my photobucket. I bought it a couple years ago, but never got around to posting any pics here on the forum.

Thanks again Al, looks like you did another fantastic job bringing an old classic back to life. 8)

 

[Brewdude]

Very handsome pipe Al, and the restoration is up to your usual standards! Love the rustication, and it must feel great in the hand.

Dutch is a very lucky fellow to own this!

8)


Cheers,

RR

 

[riff raff]

Thanks folks. I'm glad I had a chance to work on this one. Polishing a pipe, you really get an opportunity to know it. Sometimes I feel a bit cheated buying a new or unsmoked pipe that doesn't need any work.

This piece had a real effect on me. It is definitely not a run-on-the mill GBD Prehistoric. Someone grabbed this off the line and gave it a special treatment. Maybe it was a Friday afternoon or something? I've seen a few GBD's with "Hand Cut" stamped stems, but never a Prehistoric. The bowl work is just over the top. Someone at the factory was having a real fine time making this a special piece. You think about such things when working on a pipe like this. Who made it, who sold it, who owned it? All questions lost to time.

 

[docwatson]

Great job on the restoration there Al, as usual it came out looking like new. Personally I think that the cavalier shape is one ugly pipe, but they smoke incredibly dry because of the design and are much easier to clean than a system pipe. Like Al stated, the interesting part is the history and design of those fine old briars. And the quality of the ebonite is incredible so they take on a fantastic shine once the oxidation has been removed. Well done, and a super smoker for sure.

 

[Anonymous]

Nice work on that Cavalier, riff raff!