All of the pipes in this group can be purchased for relatively little cost and probably accounts for the majority of Petersons world wide pipe sales. There are many with sterling silver bands that do not have hallmarks though, even some in the Premier and Deluxe grades. In the 1960s Peterson hallmarked all gold mounted pipes but apparently they used their own marks on silver.
It was first issued to honour Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous fictitious detective character, Sherlock Holmes. Holmes is perhaps the most famous pipe smoking character in fiction. Peterson initially graded their mass -produced System pipes, i.e., regular catalogue pipes (in descending order) “Deluxe”, “First Quality”, “0” grade, “2nd grade”, and “3rd grade”. You will also find old Peterson Systems stamped System 4 or System 5. The shape number is also indicative of briar quality; for example, 364 is Peterson’s 3rd quality shape number (the 2nd quality sister pipe is a 314).
Over the years I have found this to be a recurring problem for new entrants to the world of captain black tobacco. Regular Email correspondence requesting clarification on grades has shown me that it begs clarification. I have attempted to make this process somewhat easier for those not familiar with the various ranges, by adjusting the current system of Petersons nomenclature in line with 4 simple qualitative grouping criteria. For example with Group 1 being the highest in qualitative and monetary value terms, the others then in descending order of quality, cost etc. I would suggest the period 1890 to 1915 is the true ‘Patent era’. From my humble observations the Patent stamping on pipes from that time, were more apparent and attributable with some degree of accuracy.
The intention with this system is to discourage the production of wet clumps of unburned tobacco at the bottom of the pipe (dottle), and to create a drier and cooler smoke overall. The pre-republic Peterson’s are often considered to be rather special by Peterson pipe smokers.They hark back to a time when quality briar was in abundance and craftsmanship was of the highest level. Like all collecting desirables, pre-republic pipes are now relatively hard to come by, with availability declining with each passing year. The amazing thing that I find with pre-Republic’s is the consistently high smoking qualities that they show, regardless of being a high or low grade issue. No it is not that I am looking through rose tinted glasses and being sentimental, they really were very well made. The Fishtail mouthpiece design is the standard design for most pipes.
Another catalogue, from 1905, displays a remarkable increase in the various models on offer. Pipes were the in-thing at that time, brought back into fashion after the decline of snuff and boosted by the introduction of briar, and there was no serious competition from cigars and cigarettes yet. Throughout the first half of the twentieth century K&P went steadily on, apart from the obvious difficulties in obtaining briar during the war.
I also enjoy how tactile these pipes are, they snuggle in beautifully in the hand. With the pipes being so big I would imagine they will not be to everyone’s taste. My own view is somewhat biased, the Darwins were probably tailor made with me in mind!! I find them brilliant smokers, the bowls never heat up, because they are so large and the shape is so very comfortable for longer periods of smoking.
Pipes that were marked thus, are much sought after by Peterson pipe collectors. The Peterson System is still the most popular line Peterson produce, along with the P-Lip mouthpiece. Each briar pipe is made in the Dublin factory by skilled craftsmen and enjoyed the world over. Over 100,000 pipes are made every year at the Peterson factory; traditionally most are smoked in the UK & Europe, but increasingly peterson pipes more are being enjoyed by smoker’s worldwide. Modelled after the old clay tavern pipes of yesteryear, they are among our most slender and elegant designs, featuring a number of smaller bowl shapes paired to elongated fishtail mouthpieces, and available in a variety of finishes. These are exceptional pipes for the top quality of briar, fine gold and silver mounts, shape and finish.