Blog entry by Al Jones

This is the last pipe in the group sent to me by Jon Guss.  This Orlik is stamped “Sterling”, which is known to be a high grade Orlik.  Jon supplied this information and catalog picture.

Sterling: Introduced about 1933; second highest in price after the Bruyere Antique and Dugout; in production through about 1941

This pipe also came with a beautiful fitted case.  The pipe was in very good condition, particularly the stem, which only had some minor teeth marks.  The briar had a very heavy cake and significant build-up on the bowl top.   The pipe is blasted with polished panel inserts.

The stem fitment was not flush and I wasn’t certain if that was due to build-up of tars in the shank or the metal stinger apparatus.  Jon send me the patent information on the metal apparatus, which was patented by Orlik.  In the Patent document, it is referred to as a “scraper”.  Jon  told me that Orlik collectors also refer to the piece as a “scoop”.  The insert is engraved “Orlik London”.  From the Patent information:

195,291. Orlik, L. May 4, 1922. Tobacco pipes. – In tobacco pipes of the kind having a scraper connected to the mouthpiece, the scraper 7 is of part-circular section and has a tubular end slipjointed into a flanged metal spigot 3 screwed into the mouthpiece. The metal spigot is prevented from rotating by a pin 10 driven into the mouthpiece and engaging a recess in the flange 8. The Provisional Specification states that a tube receiving an absorbent cartridge may be provided instead of the scraper.

I heated the scraper and it was easily removed from the stem.  I reamed the bowl and soaked it with alcohol and sea salt.  The shank was cleaned with a soft bristle brush and alcohol.  After this step, and the scraper removed, the stem fit properly into the shank.

The stem was in such good shape I started with 1500 grade wet sandpaper, then moved to 2000.  This was followed with 8000 and 12000 grade Micromesh paper.  The stem was lightly buffed with White Diamond and Meguiars Plastic polish.

The bowl top was cleaned with a soft cloth and a mild Oxy-clean and water solution.  I polished the briar by hand using Halycon wax.

Below is the finished pipe.