Dunhill » Dunhill: 120

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Dunhill 1926 Bruyere "Innertube" Shape 120

Here is the iconic shape 120 in all its primordial glory. I've long believed that this shape was one of Alfred's personal favorites, one on which he lavished a great deal of time and effort to in refining an older French shape, and once achieved, the company continued to make it for the next 75 years. This example is especially attractive in form, color and execution. Note the dense birdseye on one side. the rich, almost luminous color, the long curved shank, and the extraordinary taper bit that rises significantly above the bowl. Condition is first rate in all regards, with cirsp nomenclature, intact rim and bowl, and bite-free original bit.

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Dunhill 1949 Bruyere Shape 120 Bent Billiard

This is a shape that appears to have fascinated Alfred Dunhill himself from the beginning of the company. It is based upon a very old French shape, and there is evidence that in its earliest incarnations, Mr. Dunhill sources pre-cut stummels from Mr. Genod in St. Claude. However, he soon developed his own version, which was simpler and more elegant that its French predecessor, and has become perhaps the iconic shape in the Dunhill repertoire. Here is an especially fine example from 1949. Note the lovely shape of the bowl, the clear articulation of the tapered shank, and the overall balance and harmony of its generous proportions. The color is rich and luminous, and the condition is superb.

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Dunhill 1959 Tanshell 120 F/T Bent Billiard

I have come to believe that the large 120 bent billiard was a particular favorite of Alfred Dunhill. He began work on this shape in the early days, taking as his inspiration pipes made by M. Genod in St. Claude, France, and even commissioning bowls from that source. The French pipe differed in having a somewhat heavier heel, with a bulge toward the front side of the bowl. Dunhill refined the shape, and produced it in many variations, from the smaller shape 56, the elusive shape 9 from the 20's, to the much later Shape 612, and in its largest form as a Magnum (of which you will note there is one on this site).

But in terms of balance, grace and proportion there is (and was) nothing like the 120. It is marked as a Group 4, but given its bowl capacity and overall proportions, it could equally well have been graded as a Group 5 or even an ODA. It has a tall bowl that tapers towards the rim, a stout tapered shank, and a very characteristic curved bit that's considerably longer than the shank, and rises to a point that's actually above the rim. This example is from the early years of the Tanshell finish, cut from the originally specified Corsican briar, and blasted fearlessly to reveal ring grain all around the bowl. It has particularly rich, deep color (unlike the later Tanshells which were a flat khaki color). This example is in excellent condition but for some minor charring of the rim (almost inevitable in a Tanshell) and a tiny nibble on the upper lip of the bit. But it has many years of life left, during which I can assure you it will give great pleasure to hand, eye and palate. A true classic.

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Dunhill 1960 Root 120 SP

The "SP" stamping indicates a special order pipe, and was so marked so it wouldn't be sold as part of normal inventory. The original customer evidently wanted a crosscut, and he certainly got it, as the Calabrian briar shows uninterrupted birdseye on both sides of the bowl and down the shank. Moreover, he apparently specified an extra large tobacco chamber, as this one is easily of ODA capacity, much larger than any other 120 I have seen. As can be seen, it is particularly well cut and executed, with excellent proportions and smooth lines, a nicely curved and tapered shank, and an extra long handcut vulcanite taper bit. The customer was also very fond of this pipe, perhaps overly so, as the rim was quite irregular when I received it. After removing the char and evening the width, the rim is a bit thinner than it should be, but still has plenty of wood left. However, I have reduced the price to take account of this, as well as the slightly weak nomenclature, no doubt from much fond handling.

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Dunhill 1964 Root 120

The 120 Bent billiard, one of Dunhill's signature shapes, is actually derived from a much older French shape, the "Swan's Neck Billiard." Dunhill simplified and refined this shape and it has become almost iconic of the pipe, as witness Rene Magritte's rendering in the picture of the same name, albeit in the negative. This is one of the nicest examples I have seen from any era. It has a beautifully shaped bowl, a nicely articulated shank that is both curved and tapered, and a perfect handcut vulcanite taper bit with what appears to be an ivory dot. But most intriguingly, it was cut directly across the grain of the Calabrian briar, so that it is a showcase for birdseye on both sides of the bowl. Condition is essentially pristine.