Blog entry by Al Jones

This Sasieni “Moorgate” shape in Rustic finish is the second pipe from the shop in Albany and part of the General Electric executives estate.  The nomenclature shows that the pipe is from the “Family Era” and made between 1946 and 1979.

The “Rustic” finish is a hand carved, rusticated finish done completely by hand.  This work must have been painstakingly slow with the carving following the briar grain lines.

The Moorgate shape is most typically seen with a saddle stem which adds an “S” designation after the shape name.  I also don’t usually see “Rustic” pipes with a polish bowl top, but that is a feature of every Moorgate shape I found in a Google search.

The pipe was smoked in the past, but there was still uncaked wood visible in the bowl.  The stem was nearly mint, with only some mild oxidation.

I put a dab of grease on the dots and soaked the stem in a mild solution of Oxy-Clean.  I used 800 grit paper to remove the oxidation from the stem, which was more stubborn than it initially appeared.  I then used the 1500 and 2000 grade wet papers.  The next step was to finish with 8000 and 12000 grade micromesh sheets.  The stem was then buffed lightly with White Diamond rouge and Meguiars plastic polish.  The Four Dots have a beautiful light blue sheen.   The bowl only required a hand polish with Halycon wax.

As I’m a fan of straight pipes or the Pot shape, I listed this one on Ebay and sold within 24 hours to a gentleman from Asia.  I suspect he will be very pleased with this Sasieni.