A Rare Corncob Pipe shape- The Corndog
thebadgerpiper
Master
Today I stopped in my local antique store and picked up an estate corncob pipe. I had seen the pipe there before, and while I thought it wasn't in the best condition, the pipe kept calling to me like a siren. The shape was unlike any corncob pipe I had ever encountered before, and when I searched for something similar on ebay, I came up empty. I was actually going to buy it two weeks ago, but couldn't find it. I decided to give one last look in the store today, and accept my losses if I couldn't find it. Luckily, fate was on my side, and I found the pipe tucked away on a shelf. I bought the pipe and took it home.
Before running into this pipe, I never knew Missouri Meerschaum produced a cob in the bulldog shape. When I did a search on the pipe, I didn't find much in the way of results for it. All I know is that it's an uncommon shape, and has the nickname "The Corndog." It's a shame MM doesn't make the shape today, as I think a cob bulldog has a nice look.
As you can see, the pipe isn't in the best condition with that groove around the outside of the pipe. Thankfully, it doesn't go to the bowl, so I should be able to use it after applying some elbow grease.
Before running into this pipe, I never knew Missouri Meerschaum produced a cob in the bulldog shape. When I did a search on the pipe, I didn't find much in the way of results for it. All I know is that it's an uncommon shape, and has the nickname "The Corndog." It's a shame MM doesn't make the shape today, as I think a cob bulldog has a nice look.
As you can see, the pipe isn't in the best condition with that groove around the outside of the pipe. Thankfully, it doesn't go to the bowl, so I should be able to use it after applying some elbow grease.
Comments
But when I moved to cleaning the shank and bowl, I still couldn't get a pipe cleaner to pass. Stranger still, unlike all my other cobs, this cob has a thin metal tube of some sort that goes through the shank which wont fit my pick. My only option now is to use an old hairpin I have to try and see if I can get it to free whatever is stuck inside. I suppose I could look into trying to remove the metal tube, but for all I know, it could be glued inside. My best guess is that its clogged from years of use and not being cleaned.
I'm not really sure where to go from here if the hairpin wont work. I might go to the hardware store tomorrow in search of something that can fit through that I can try and carefully hammer inside. Otherwise, I might be out of luck with my new estate cob.
@Corey562 Thanks! I dig the diamond shank, too. I guess Missouri Meerschaum made diamond shank cobs until the 1980's. They should consider going back to making at least one in their lineup.
The pipe stem wasn't clearing up after many attempts using everclear soaked pipe cleaners. I tried using a power drill with the smallest drill bits that I had. This did the job, and the stem cleared up. The stem could use a good buff, and I'll work on it once I invest in some buffing pads. I also used gorilla glue to fasten the Missouri Meerschaum sticker on the bottom of the pipe. The sticker was a bit loose, and I didn't want it to fall off.
Today, I decided to give the Corndog a test smoke. I filled the pipe with London Dock, lit it, and spent time watching the pipe and observing how it smoked. While the cob smokes like a champ, I found a new issue I have to clear up. If you notice in the picture below, there's a dark mark between the shank and the bowl. When I would puff, a little bit of smoke would leak through, which must mean that there's a small crack. I've contacted Reborn Pipes for some advice, but I think this should be an easy fix.
One little tidbit I did learn from Reborn Pipes is that the groove around the bowl of the pipe is there on purpose. Since it's a bulldog, Missouri Meerschaum gave it a ring around the bowl like a briar bulldog.