Wednesday 1 February 2012

Small can be beautiful and functional!

Small can be beautiful and functional!

Regular blog followers will have noted that one of the main reasons that I enjoy Petersons pipes, is the sheer variety of shapes of pipes which they have produced over the years.

In the early Patent years(1890-1920) it was fashionable to produce very small practical pipes, for everyday use. These pipes were, in my opinion targeted at the main working populace.They were made so that  they could slip easily into the fashionable vest pockets of most pipe smokers of that time.
I already had a couple of these interesting little pipes and have just added another to my collection. An early P-lip, Patent 1910 (2) grade bent Army mount.



 It measures just over 4 inches long,with a bowl height of 1 and 3/8th inches.
Unlike modern vest pocket pipes these early patents were very traditional in shape.



My three small vest pipes can be seen in direct comparison to an average size 999 shape Peterson pipe, giving a good illustration of their size and scale.


1 comment:

  1. Interesting post Jim! In a sudden fit of PAD I recently picked up a 317 system/ fishtail. Just as you describe I love the tiny 317 for taking to work for a quick smoke after lunch. It's small size reminds me of these vest pipes. As handy today as it was 100 years ago I'm sure.

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