Those who malign the brand because they’re made by the hundreds using machines, are very wrong, in my opinion. I like them a lot and the bang for the buck is the best I’ve ever seen for new pipes of this quality. When Tom Palmer bought the Peterson business at the beginning of the nineteen nineties’, he adopted the policy of “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it”. Basically sticking wisely to what the business had historically been famous for, good quality, value for money, popular, classic shaped pipes. At the end of the eighties just as the Sherlock Holmes range was being issued, Peterson reintroduced the modern Captain Pete series.
Hallmarks are only required on precious metals not nickel. Also a pipe made in England must meet English requirements which now (and for a number of years)are only 925 for sterling. Dublin hallmarks for sterling are Hibernia, crowned harp and a letter denoting the year. Probably the most famous Peterson issue/series of pipes.
Often the negative comments are based on the writers limited experience of owning a basic entry level pipe. Thereafter they condemn all Peterson pipes, based on that poor experience. I have rarely seen this series of pipes for sale previously, it has been a complete mystery as to the quality of briar, finish and smoking qualities.
The bowl finish is tending toward a matt finish and not shiny like the recent trend. The natural Walnut finish harkens back to the comparable preRepublic bowls. In 1988 Peterson decided to issue a special Millennium Edition set of two pipes commemorating the City of Dublin’s 1000 year founding ( ). The first pipe was a Dublin shape (what else!) and an Oom Paul. Each pipe was sold individually featuring a special sterling silver hallmarked band and came with a ribbon wrapped parchment scroll in a blue presentation box.
Since 1865, the Irish pipe makers have delivered excellent pipes made with precision and care. As the oldest continuously operating briar pipe factory in the world, we at Peterson have a certain tradition to uphold, a legacy of craftsmanship dating back over 150 years. Whether you’re browsing for your very first pipe or are a seasoned collector in search of a rare gem, know that every pipe in our catalogue carries with it that same preservation of tradition. A Peterson pipe isn’t just a utilitarian tool; it’s a piece of history you can carry with you in your travels, a faithful companion to accompany you through all that life offers. Continuing with my work on Peterson’s in my collection, the next and fifth pipe that is now on my work table is a smooth Peterson’s “OLD ENGLISH COLLECTION” pipe with a thin delicate and long stem. The third hallmark is the Date Letter Code for the year in which the silver was hallmarked.
I would recommend running a pipe cleaner down the stem, as far as it will go, immediately after finishing a bowl, but disassembly and thorough cleaning can wait until the next day or any other convenient time. Most of the standard systems are made from good quality briar. All are fitted with nickel mounts and army style mouthpiece. There are fourteen models to choose from, with a choice of highly polished or rustic finish.
We have always stayed close to our roots –our pipes are still seen as ‘traditional’ and I think that this is very important”. There are many Peterson pipes with sterling silver bands that do not have hallmarks though, even some in the Premier and Deluxe grades. Before it was Peterson Pipes it was the Kapp Brothers – Friedrich and Heinrich Kapp, German immigrants to Ireland from Nürnberg, Germany, who founded the famed Kapp Brothers store on Grafton Street, Dublin, in 1865. Then one day a Latvian immigrant, Charles Peterson, strolled into the Kapp workshop and declared that he could make better pipes than they.
This modest increase is credited by many to retro-loving students. Facebook and MySpace have thousands of members signed up to various pipe smoking enthusiast groups. Let us hope that Peterson captain black tobacco continue to flourish in this new groundswell of optimism and the hope for the increased demand for quality classic pipes. I have to admit that I am smitten by this new series from Peterson.
This one is a 53 Lovat that has a rich coloured finish with amazing grain around the bowl sides and shank. It also came to us from the estate of Anglican minister that was a great chacom tobacco pipes friend of mine here in Canada. The P-Lip mouthpiece was originally designed by Charles Peterson in 1865. Peterson designed the mouthpiece as part of his Dry System pipe design.
They epitomize my ideal pipe, both in looks and functionality. I also enjoy how tactile these pipes are, they snuggle in beautifully in the hand. With the pipes captain black tobacco 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!!