Barling » Barling: Liverpool

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Barling circa 1950 Guinea Grain EXEXEL Oval Shanked Liverpool

The apparently simplicity of Barling's designs actually conceals considerable art, which is apparent to few apart from sophisticated pipe collectors and pipe makers. This pipe has the cleverly cut variation on the billiard bowl of which Barling was so fond, whose front edge has a far more pronounced curvature than the rear, and which is canted slightly forward on the shank. Moreover, that shank is very long, almost 1.5 times longer than the bowl is tall, and is oval. Taken together with the lovely and dense straight grain that covers essentially the entire stummel, Barling is sending a signal that this is not a pipe turned on a frasing machine from a template, or even on a lathe by a skilled pipe maker, but rather was made by hand. In addition, this one has a rather graceful handcut elongated taper bit, with the original cross still showing. The "XXL" size is of course the largest and most desirable made during the pre-Transition period. The color is especially attractive. All in all, a lovely and highly collectible pipe of real refinement and quality.