Brigham pipes WANTED
Sandy Gerli
I'd like to find a 1-Dot, a 5-Dot and a 6-Dot. If you have any of these, I'd
be interested in chatting with you!
Thanks,
Sandy Gerli
ac...@nc.rr.com
Douglas
news:484dc56f$0$20181$4c36...@roadrunner.com...
Sandy, I hate to complicate your collecting interest but there is more to
Brigham's lines than dot counts. You may not be done by a long shot! <LOL>
They've had at least two different dot-grading schemes plus series like the
Norseman & Valhalla's (both hand made) of the 70's, and the President series
in the 80's.
The dot sheme of the 60's and 70's is detailed here:
http://pipepages.com/1brig.htm
The Norseman all had the "VIP" dots shown in the Catalog. The Valhallas had
clusters of dots augmenting the VIP configuration up to 6 dots. In the 80's
the grading scheme changed to a 7 dot scheme. Brigham used to have a fair
hsitory page on their site but it seems to be gone. But I'm a pack-at so
I'll paste it below....
Douglas
Brigham History
Brigham pipes have been manufactured in Canada for nearly 100 years and
there have been a number of variations in terms of nomenclature. For the
most part, the traditional marking system has been the 3 digit code. Pipes
range (in the standard series) from the 100 series to the 700 series
(ie100,200,300,400,500,600,700). This grading is an ascending scale - 100
being an entry-level pipe, the 700 series being the highest quality of briar
and workmanship.
On the bottom of the pipe's bowl or side of the shank, each has a 3-digit
code stamped into it. The first number denotes the series (1 to 7) and the
next 2 indicate the shape number. For instance, a "456" would indicate a 400
series pipes in shape #56. A letter may follow (on older pipes) indicating
bowl size (S = small, M = medium, ML = medium/large, L = large).
Traditionally, Brigham pipes have utilized a pinning system to denote the
pipe series. Brass pins in the pipe's stem are a hallmark of the classic
Brigham pipe. They were originally used to secure the special Brigham tenon
into the shank of the pipe, and were subsequently used to denote the quality
of each pipe. This also accounts for the use of the term "dot" instead of
"series" amongst most Brigham pipe smokers (ie., you may hear a pipe
referred to as a "4 dot").
The dot system originally consisted of 8 separate grades as follows (from
lowest to highest grade):
1 DOT - "Brigham Standard"
2 DOT - "Brigham Select"
3 DOT (star pattern) - "Brigham Exclusive"
3 DOT (vertically aligned) - "Brigham Executive"
4 DOT - "Brigham Director"
3 DOT (horizontally aligned) - "Brigham VIP"
5 DOT - "Brigham Special Grain"
6 DOT - "Brigham Straight Grain"
Pipes of this era have the Brigham patent number stamped ("CAN PAT 372982")
into them beside a cursive "Brigham" logo which was much thinner than the
logo of today. In transition to the new logo adopted in the late 70s, at
least two variations of a cursive "Brigham" was stamped into the pipes
including two horizontally type-set fonts. The patent number appears on
pipes up to approximately 1980 after which time the new logo (the logo of
today minus the maple leaf) was used exclusively.
Other series were made between the 60s and 80s including a selection of
handmades, the Valhalla and Norseman Series and others. These pipes are
typically much larger than the regular series, with freehand bowls in
"Scandinavian" shapes. These pipes incorporated the Brigham filter system.
The Norseman were fully rusticated and marked with a "W" followed by a
number (indicating its shape) and a horizontally aligned 3-dot pattern with
one larger dot in the center. The Valhalla were smooth or partially
rusticated in the same shape as the Norseman pipes and with the same pinning
configuration.
In 1980 (approximately) , the move was made to a 7-grade dot system which
simplified the pinning of pipes and made them more easily identified. This
is where the 7-dot made its first appearance, and specific names for each
grade done away with, as were the vertical and horizontal 3-dot pinning
pattern. In higher series, a small number of interesting experimental shapes
appeared including those with a carved shank resembling mountains, marked
with an "s" beside or near the shape number. No catalogue of these shapes
was kept, although we often come across these pipes when they are sent in
for cleaning. if you have one of these pipes, it represents an era of
experimentation and should be treasured.
The Norseman and Valhalla series were consolidated around this time and
named the " President Series". These were divided into President A, B, C, D
and E grades (A being the highest), indicated on the bowl or shank of the
pipe. Both filtered and unfiltered pipes were made in this series, and a
designation of 3 dots was adopted. To set them apart from the classic 3-dot
configuration, one large dot and two small dots were used, with the largest
dot place on the right hand side of the star pattern. Historically, the
President series has been a designation given to the pipes of highest
quality and workmanship, often in a freehand pattern with larger bowls. The
designation has always indicated pipes of a higher grade and therefore there
is considerable variety in their form.
A non-filtered pipe appeared during this area which was stamped "OLD PORT".
These pipes featured an experimental aluminum tube which was small enough in
diameter to regulate air flow.
As the cost of domestic production began to increase and the ability to
produce pipes in the lower range became almost impossible, the "Brigham
System" pipe was created. These are identified by a gold star imprinted in
the pipe's stem. Manufactured in Italy to Brigham's specifications and
incorporating its filter system, these entry level pipes were also stamped
"Made in Italy" with "Brigham System" in a standard font.
In the late 90s, the Platinum pipe series was introduced as a non-filtered
pipe. Platinum pipes were graded and pinned according to the same methods
used for the 1-700 filtered series, but a silver coloured pin was used to
set them apart. The first batch of these pipes was only made in the 100 and
200 series and featured a convertible system, capable of being used as a 9mm
filtered pipe, or unfiltered pipe by means of a removable floc in the tenon.
In 2001, the convertible system in the Platinum series was eliminated and it
was made into a unfiltered pipe. The 300 series was introduced at this time.
In the same production year, the aluminum tenon also disappeared, being
replaced with a composite material which was found to be more durable,
lightweight and suited to smoking without a filter (when desired).
The 500-700 series was overhauled in 2002, and the first round of changes
brought the first appearance of silver cuffs to the pipes, and in place of
the pinning, a maple leaf surrounding the letter B was engraved on each pipe
band. This series is easily distinguished from other pipes, and the pipe
grade is indicated by the 3 number stamp in the pipe bowl or shank as per
Brigham pipes since the earliest days. When the grain of a pipe is found to
be of suitable quality, our blond stain is used to offer a very unique,
stunning piece.
Limited edition pipes have been made since 2000 - see our Limited Edition
page for details on these pipes.
An entire book could be written on the subject of Brigham nomenclature, so
if you're unsure or have more questions, contact us and we'd be happy to
elucidate.
shakenbake
> "Sandy Gerli" <a...@nc.rr.com> wrote in message
>
> news:484dc56f$0$20181$4c36...@roadrunner.com...
>
> > Hi, folks! I'm looking for several Brighams to round out my collection.
>
> > I'd like to find a 1-Dot, a 5-Dot and a 6-Dot. If you have any of these,
> > I'd be interested in chatting with you!
>
> > Thanks,
>
> > Sandy Gerli
Not to mention the unfinished, or semi-finished 'Sportsman Special'
pipes that are also collectibles, in 3 and 4, and quite possibly 5 dot
quality!
Yoseph
>
> - Show quoted text -
hey man! i have one of those 'sportsman' semi finished pipe, a 4 dot
and it's a beaut! i love my Brighams!, Canada's best product after
BigRock beer.