Help identifying this pipe
jwesthurl
Apprentice
Someone gave me this pipe and I can’t find any info on it. The only marking are LUCERNA 95
on the bottom of the shank and ST on the stem. Any ideas?
on the bottom of the shank and ST on the stem. Any ideas?
Comments
https://pipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page
http://www.pipephil.eu
From the ST stamped on the stem, it maybe a Sans Tere pipe made in the St. Claude region of France.
Lucerna is most likely the name given to a line of pipes by a particular factory like Peterson does with all its pipes.
Here's another interesting link.
https://www.pipeshop-saintclaude.com/pipes-from-france-3
I think it's a Swiss or Italian pipe named after Lucerne, Switzerland or Lucerna, Italy. The Italian/Latin pronunciation of Lucerne is Lucerna (cities are feminine in Italy) and some Swiss companies adopt feminine pronunciations of cities sometimes, especially if their market is somewhere like Italy. It could also simply be an Italian pipe made in Lucerna, Italy, south of Rome.
The ST you see is probably someone's initials (the owner maybe?), especially because it looks to be on the top of the stem; stamps and models tend to be on the bottom, side, or shank (I think).
Looking at it more closely, I'm not sure that's the original stem--it could be a replacement. Can you take a few pictures of it?
The ST is the logo that was stamped on the Sans Tere pipes made in Saint Claude.
Well, I guess my objective would be to see if the stem currently on the pipe actually belongs to that pipe or is it a replacement. The area near tenon's can get rough if they are old and used, but it just doesn't seem like that stem was shaped for that pipe because where it fits into the shank looks too rough for just regular wear. Also, the angle that the stem rises seems like a slightly different angle than the shank--at least in the pictures anyway.
I guess another picture of the pipe in profile, just make sure the camera is as close to perpendicular to the pipe as you can get. Also, another close up or two of where the stem fits into the shank/mortise as well.
It could be I'm just totally seeing things here, I don't know.
@RockyMountainBriar is correct. Also, there should be other stamps on it, like country stamp and such. The fact that the ST is on the side of this stem and not on the one @jwesthurl posted could be due to the oval shape of the one he posted, that said, it just doesn't look like the type of markings a pipe of Sans Tare quality (which means flawless) would have, nor does the way the stem fits in the shank seem to be of that quality.
My gut tells me that the owner of this pipe (somewhere along the way) had a stem issue, found one that was a close fit but not perfect, maybe had the stamp on it already (could have even been an ST before changing their font for some reason) or even stamped it himself with his initials, and went on with life--in other words, I still think this pipe and stem is a marriage which means the pipe could just be a pipe from any of the dozens if not hundreds of small makers way back when in southern Italy (near Lucerna maybe). Or, again, it could be an Italian market translation for a Swiss pipe from Lucerne, Switzerland, only a short distance from Milan.
@vtgrad2003 could be correct. The meeting of the stem and the shank does not appear to have a seamless transition...🤔
The stem, in fact may not belong to that pipe. Not sure, just an observation...
As for the difference in the "ST" as opposed to "ST" in the photo you just posted, that could just be a font or design change. I reference the different ways IRC were stamped on pipes made for Iwan Ries for example.
And, yes, there should be more stampings on the pipe but we also should consider that the pipe is old and other stampings may have been buffed into undetectable. I have several estate pipes I have found the markings almost impossible to read. When I first saw Lucerna, my first thought was that the pipe was a Savinelli but it has none of the other markings that would back that up.
I also thought it could be a pipe made for a tobacco shop like the IRC I own or the one made for Bayou tobacco that I have. Both of those have the brand stamping of the manufacturer though.
Now, should there actually be more stampings? While that would be nice, it's not always the case. I have one pipe that is only stamped Christmas 1988. I have a pipe that is only stamped Mardi Gras.
I agree that it could be a change in font over time--I mention that in my post, but I still think the ST a misnomer, i.e., the stem is not the original stem for that pipe.
That is very likely.
@jwesthurl
There is just not enough information either on the pipe or on the web for me to even make a good guess.
Well, I think we have a verdict. As a group, we've discovered the following:
1. Your pipe is either French, Danish, Swiss, or Italian
2. The pipe is either fully original or not
Hope that helps 🤣
Anyway, you might want to send it to @PappyJoe and see if he can refurbish it and at what price. I don't want to speak for him but I agree with @RockyMountainBriar that it is in pretty rough condition, but may turn out to be something pretty nice in the end, I don't know.
Actually, I think it is pretty good condition. It’s just a rusticated pipe, cool shape albeit a bit “fat bottom Betty” for my tastes🙂
Well I see something too, could be an A G also? Maybe we both need new meds😳
Now, on to refurbishment!
Sorry, I just noticed that I said send it to @PappyJoe, I actually meant send it to @KA9FFJ . Sorry for the confusion. I don't think @PappyJoe even does refinishing work, but I don't know. But @KA9FFJ has many examples of his work under the Pipe Refinishing thread...you should check those out.
Actually, I did a lot of refinishing work before the world went crazy a couple of years ago.
I just haven't done any shopping for estate pipes since then.
I thought I might have to make a trip to the VA for an evaluation...🤪