By Al Jones

The GBD model 9438 is one of my favorite British shapes, and I can’t resist one that is moderately priced. I have a 9438 New Standard that was one of my first 9438’s in my collection. However this one looked to be in very good condition and it had the “wasp waist” stem that I prefer (tapered width). Upon delivery, the pipe was in even better condition than the sellers pictures advertised. Interestingly, the stain on this one was also a darker color than my other pipe. The nomenclature is incredibly crisp on this one and it has the desired straight-line “London,England” stamping to compliment the brass rondell.

The stem had some mild oxidation, but the GBD rondell was in great shape. There were a few teeth abrasions on either side but no serious teeth indentions. There was a modest build-up of tars on the beveled bowl top and cake in the bowl. Stem fitment was excellent

Using my Pipenet reamer, the cake was removed, than the bowl interior finished with a small piece of 320 grade sandpaper wrapped around a smaller bit. The bowl was filled with sea salt and alcohol and soaked overnight. After the soak, the shank was cleaned with some small bristle brushes and paper towels. The stem was mounted and oxidation removed with 800, 1,500 and then 2,000 grade wet paper. The stem was finished with 8,000 and 12,000 grade micromesh sheets. I removed the tars on the bowl top with a worn piece of scotch-brite (wet) and then touched up with 2,000 grade wet paper.

The briar was polished with White Diamond rouge, than several coats of carnuba wax. The stem was finished by buffing with White Diamond rouge and then Meguiars Plastic polish.

Below is the finished pipe. I’m smoking it now with some Dunhill My Mixture 965 and it looks like my cleaning efforts paid off. I’ll most likely sell my other New Standard 9438 which was purchased in 2014 from the Smokers Forum member, “Muddler” in via South Africa. Sadly, Muddler is no longer with us.