Blog by Al Jones

The GBD 9438 is my favorite pipe shape.  I’ve been fortunate to find most of the seven other 9438’s in different grades.  However, to this point, a “New Standard” has eluded me.  I attended the recent NYC Pipe Show but left the show without a pipe purchase.  On the drive home from New York to Maryland, I remembered a 9438 New Era Ebay auction was ending.  The pipe was offered by estate seller extraordinaire, Steve Fallon, aka “Pipestud”.  Using my Ebay phone app, I pulled off the highway and put in a bid.  I was delighted to win my second GBD from Steve.

The “New Era” grade slots somewhere between the Virgin and New Standard grades.  It is described in a 1973 GBD catalog as:

New Era: “The beauty of this pipe’s perfect briar is accentuated by the richness of the ‘take-off’ dual finish.”

The pipe was so clean, I can’t say this is a “restoration” and I didn’t feel compelled to take any before pictures.  The stem had a little oxidation on it, but was in overall very good condition.  The briar had a few dings and some darkening around the rim.

I was able to remove much of the rim darkening with a worn piece of 8000 grit micromesh sheet, which doesn’t pull any stain.  I used a damp cloth and a hot iron to lift out most of the dings around the bowl and a few underneath.  One small score mark remains.

I removed the oxidation around the saddle section of the stem with 800 grit paper followed by 1500 and 2000 grades.  Next 8000 and 12000 grade micromesh sheets were used.  The stem was buffed lightly with White Diamond rouge followed by Meguiars Plastic Polish.

The interior of the bowl is in excellent condition and the pipe is drilled perfectly.  I’m pleased to add this final 9438 to my collection of that shape.