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Post by Silver on Nov 30, 2022 15:47:06 GMT -5
I found this Stanwell 103 billiard on the 'bay not long ago. It looked like a good candidate for restoration. When I received it, it was in much rougher condition than I expected. I had to top the bowl by a millimeter, or so, to eliminate the crushed area on the back of the rim. Apparently, the previous owner didn't believe in cork knockers. The bowl was dull and darkened in areas and the rim was scorched. The stem was oxidized to a uniform cinnamon brown color, with a few tooth marks. In addition to topping the bowl, i sanded the stummel (being careful not to lose the stampings) to get rid of the darkened areas. I applied a contrast stain and wax. The stem was soaked in Oxyclean and sanded to get rid of the oxidation. I also worked the stem on the buffer with brown tripoli and white diamond. Applied some heat to the stem to raise the tooth impressions. Finally, polished it up with Obsidian oil. The stampings on the pipe include "Stanwell" with "REGD No. 969-48" below, and "ROYAL BRIAR" under the number on the left side of the shank. "103" is stamped on the right side of the shank. There is no stamping to indicate where it was made. I don't know much about Stanwell pipes. I think the registration number would put it in the 60's or early 70's. I think the Royal Briar was an inexpensive line at that time. Anyway, not a bad pickup at less than $25.    |
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Post by kbareit on Nov 30, 2022 16:22:31 GMT -5
Did a fine job there. A beautiful pipe. How does it smoke?
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Post by Silver on Nov 30, 2022 16:33:00 GMT -5
Thanks, Ken. Just lit it up. Whoever owned this pipe before me had a love/hate relationship with it. It was heavily smoked, infrequently cleaned and had the rim bashed in from knocking the pipe out on a block of concrete or something similarly hard. I spent a lot of time (and pipe cleaners and Everclear) to clean the internals. So far, no ghost.
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Post by mgtarheel on Nov 30, 2022 17:23:37 GMT -5
Wonderful job on that Stanwell
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Post by Silver on Nov 30, 2022 17:24:25 GMT -5
Thanks, Mike.
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Post by Legend Lover on Nov 30, 2022 18:02:56 GMT -5
That's a great looking pipe now. Well done!!
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Post by Silver on Nov 30, 2022 18:21:07 GMT -5
Thanks, Andre!
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Post by Gypo on Nov 30, 2022 18:33:13 GMT -5
Sweet can't wait to see more restoration pipes
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Post by Silver on Nov 30, 2022 19:26:48 GMT -5
Working on a couple more. A GBD and a BBB.
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Post by kbareit on Nov 30, 2022 21:10:01 GMT -5
Thanks, Ken. Just lit it up. Whoever owned this pipe before me had a love/hate relationship with it. It was heavily smoked, infrequently cleaned and had the rim bashed in from knocking the pipe out on a block of concrete or something similarly hard. I spent a lot of time (and pipe cleaners and Everclear) to clean the internals. So far, no ghost. That's the joy of getting estate pipes. I've had some that were so blocked you couldn't get tobacco in them if you wanted to. It really pays off getting it to smoking condition and you got the bonus of no ghosts. Hope you get to enjoy it for many years. |
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Post by Ronv69 on Nov 30, 2022 23:01:10 GMT -5
My best pipes are the ones that were smoked to death before I got them.
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Post by trailboss on Nov 30, 2022 23:30:59 GMT -5
Yeah, there is a reason they were heavily smoked.
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Post by Legend Lover on Dec 1, 2022 7:16:13 GMT -5
Yeah, there is a reason they were heavily smoked. The previous owner was a heavy smoker? |
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Post by roadsdiverged on Dec 1, 2022 8:02:41 GMT -5
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Post by trailboss on Dec 1, 2022 10:41:02 GMT -5
Yeah, there is a reason they were heavily smoked. The previous owner was a heavy smoker?  |
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Post by johnlawitzke on Dec 2, 2022 13:28:18 GMT -5
I found this Stanwell 103 billiard on the 'bay not long ago. It looked like a good candidate for restoration. When I received it, it was in much rougher condition than I expected. I had to top the bowl by a millimeter, or so, to eliminate the crushed area on the back of the rim. Apparently, the previous owner didn't believe in cork knockers. The bowl was dull and darkened in areas and the rim was scorched. The stem was oxidized to a uniform cinnamon brown color, with a few tooth marks. In addition to topping the bowl, i sanded the stummel (being careful not to lose the stampings) to get rid of the darkened areas. I applied a contrast stain and wax. The stem was soaked in Oxyclean and sanded to get rid of the oxidation. I also worked the stem on the buffer with brown tripoli and white diamond. Applied some heat to the stem to raise the tooth impressions. Finally, polished it up with Obsidian oil. The stampings on the pipe include "Stanwell" with "REGD No. 969-48" below, and "ROYAL BRIAR" under the number on the left side of the shank. "103" is stamped on the right side of the shank. There is no stamping to indicate where it was made. I don't know much about Stanwell pipes. I think the registration number would put it in the 60's or early 70's. I think the Royal Briar was an inexpensive line at that time. Anyway, not a bad pickup at less than $25. All registration number Stanwells were made in Denmark. The markings on this pipe are a bit of a head scratcher. Based on the stummel markings, this pipe is 1950s as it's an 03 shape Billiard with the finish indicator prefix (1). However, the stem has the crown S logo. Generally, 1950s had an uncrowned S stem logo. So, I’m going with late 50s, maybe early 60s, or maybe 50s with a replacement stem. |
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Post by Silver on Dec 2, 2022 13:31:12 GMT -5
Thanks, John. I hoped you'd have some information.
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joeman
Full Member
Posts: 566
First Name: Joe
Favorite Pipe: Grabow Hillcrest
Favorite Tobacco: Sutliff Barbados Plantation
Location:
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Post by joeman on Dec 2, 2022 14:21:07 GMT -5
I don't know about the rest of y'all, but I'm an admin at an older (and MUCH smaller) forum. We have a "before & after" restoration section...where you're encouraged to post a few pics of the pipe in its rough condition...showing all the oxidation and dings...along with the after pics...showing it's new lease on life. I'd LOVE to see a section like that here...because who doesn't enjoy seeing the transformation?
Nice looking Stanny. With all of the mileage on it, I'd say it's just a 'love' relationship with an owner that's never developed a habit of keeping his pipes clean. That's how the vast majority of estate pipes are, over my years of refurbishing and flipping at pipe shows (and on eBay) I've always been surprised when a group of estates has been heavily smoked, but also kept relatively clean.
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Post by Silver on Dec 2, 2022 14:36:57 GMT -5
Hi Joe, good to see you. My next resto will include "before" photos. It's an old Grabow Tru-Grain. I'll be posting that one on the DG forum, as well.
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