My youngest daughter’s name is Chelsea and she is married to a fine young man who also enjoys a pipe.  He’s received several of my restorations in the past few years.  A few months ago, I stumbled across this “Chelsea” stamped pipe and decided it would be part of his birthday present this year.  He and my wife share the same day in April, so I can never forget his special day.

The pipe is stamped “Chelsea” and “Made in France  341”.  I’ve seen references to the Chelsea brand as being an Comoy’s second and indeed the shape 341 is listed on their shape chart as a small billiard.  I was unable to find a Comoy’s version of this shape anywhere on the web.  The stem material and finish definitely have a Comoy’s feel.

The pipe was in good shape, but some light oxidation and a very mild cake.  The bowl had several ugly fills.

After the pipe was reamed, I used a small dental pick to remove the fill material.  I put several drops of the black superglue on those spots and applied a spritz of accelerator (I still have not acquired a proper application tool for the accelerator).   I used 800 grit paper to sand smooth the glue spots, than up to 1500 wet paper.  The second picture shows the spots sanded smooth.

I applied a Medium Brown Fieblings stain to the bowl and set it with a match.  After it dried, I buffed it out with some Tripoli and then White Diamond to smooth out the stain color.  This hid the fills nicely.

The stem was an easy fix, first using some 800 grit paper to remove the mild oxidation.  Then up thru 1500 and 2000 grade wet papers, followed by 8000 and 12000 grade micromesh.  The mounted on the briar, the stem was buffed with White Diamond and Meguiars Plastic polish.   The bowl was buffed with several coats of carnuba wax.

My daughter and son-in-law live in New Orleans, so the pipe will be packed and sent out in the mail tomorrow.  I wish that I could be there to celebrate with him person, but we’ll see him soon.