Description
One of Peterson's largest and most robust variations on the classic, this bent Billiard offers a generous fire hole with thick insulating walls, as well as a more tubular transition and muscular shank that capture their House Style. Though bold and substantial, its half-bend lends it a natural impression when clenched in the teeth.
The System Standard stamp first appeared in 1945, but the entry-level design has been a staple in Peterson's catalogues since Charles Peterson secured his final patent in 1898. Designed to provide a cooler, drier smoke, each pipe features a deep reservoir within the shank to collect excess moisture; a graduated bore mouthpiece that funnels the smoke and allows moisture to collect within the reservoir; a sturdy Silver military mount, which allows the pipe to be broken down and cleaned without damage or warping; and the patented P-Lip bit, which draws the smoke upward, thus reducing tongue bite. The shape 312 is available here in a rugged, masculine Rusticated finish.
The pipe you see is the pipe you get. This pipe came to us from a private collection, and where necessary, has been expertly restored by a local craftsman. This pipe was previously smoked but has been completely and professionally reconditioned and sanitized. Because it has been pre-owned, the price is drastically reduced compared to what this pipe would cost new (assuming that you could even find it). We stand behind these pipes; if you ever have an issue, return it to us for repair or refund.
Tobacco pipe stands used in the pictures are for photography purposes only and are not included.
| Bowl Height (Outside) | 1.93” / 49mm |
| Bowl Width (Outside) | 1.41” / 36mm |
| Pipe Length | 6.375” / 162mm |
| Chamber Depth | 1.54” / 39mm |
| Chamber Diameter | .72” / 18mm |
| Pipe Weight | 51g |
| Pipe Shape | Billiard |
| Stem Shape | Bent |
| Filter | No |
| Shape Number | 312 |
| Bowl Material | Briar |
| Stem Material | Acrylic |
| Finish | Rusticated |
| Country | Republic of Ireland |
About The Range
In 1890, after 15 years of handling and repairing pipes while working for the Kapps, Charles Peterson secured a patent in his own name, titled "A certain new and useful improvement in Tobacco-Pipes," which introduced a unique system comprised of a higher draft hole and a moisture reservoir bored into the shank and transition of a briar pipe. Over the next eight years, Charles continued to refine his System, applying for and securing patents for a graduated bore mouthpiece (1891), and a unique button design known today as the P-Lip (1894-1898). Designed to wick moisture away from the smoke, reduce tongue bite, and increase the longevity of the pipe, Peterson's complete System patent sparked a tradition of innovation, one Peterson continues to uphold to this day. The System Pipe is the invisible source behind the unique House Style with their pipes' muscular shanks and transitions, tubular profile, and generous bends. The overall shaping style has a distinctly antique form because it has remained largely unchanged for over 120 years.
In the System range, you'll find a variety of shapes in myriad finishes, each featuring Charles Peterson's groundbreaking improvements in the realm of tobacco pipes. Whether you're looking for your first pipe or to enhance a robust collection, here you'll find numerous options to suit any taste, all backed by Peterson's legacy of craftsmanship.
About Peterson of Dublin
In 1874, just one year after receiving a prize medal for his efforts at the 1873 London International Exhibition, German émigré Frederick Kapp moved his pipe retail operation from London to Dublin, Ireland, where he opened a new tobacco and pipe shop, making and selling pipes crafted from meerschaum as well as briar root, a relatively new material to the market. Within a year, Frederick employed a young Latvian woodworker named Charles Peterson to help with production and repairs.
In 1890, after 15 years of handling and repairing multitudes of pipes, and thinking critically about how to improve their design, Peterson applied for and secured a patent in his own name, titled "A certain new and useful improvement in Tobacco-Pipes," introducing a unique system designed to wick moisture away from the smoke and deliver a fuller tobacco flavor – a design he would continue to improve over the next eight years. By 1896, after winning two gold medals at the International Tobacco Trades Exhibition in London for "Best Finished Pipe" and "Best Patent Pipe," Charles Peterson, together with Frederick's son Alfred Henry, had transformed the small pipe shop and smoking parlour into a budding international export factory, introducing the patented System pipe, as well as a host of other Classic designs, to the hands and minds of enthusiasts worldwide, where Kapp & Peterson has remained for generations.
As the oldest continuously operating briar pipe factory in the world, the pipe makers at Peterson have a certain tradition to uphold, a legacy of craftsmanship dating back over 150 years. Whether you're browsing for your very first pipe or are a seasoned collector in search of a rare gem, know that every pipe in their catalogue carries with it that same preservation of tradition. A Peterson pipe isn't just a utilitarian tool; it's a piece of history you can carry with you in your travels, a faithful companion to accompany you through all that life offers.
