The Special was one such grade. This one, for example, is a very traditional bent Dublin, with a beautiful mixture of cross-cut patternings snaking their way around the bowl. The condition is good.
Charatan’s “Free Shape” pipes are quite rare. As for dating, the block-lettered “MADE BY HAND” stamped on the pipe’s shank, along with its Double Comfort mouthpiece, would indicate a 1961-5 make, also known as the “first Lane era.”.
But, funnily enough, when the Perfection was introduced, it was a little different to what one might imagine. That’s not to say it was a low-grade pipe—more of a modest, mid-range smoker. The condition is very good.