Barling: Difference between revisions

Before discussing the nomenclature of the Pre-Transition or “family era” pipes it is important to note that there are no absolutes.  Barling pipes from this period show a remarkable degree of variation when it comes to nomenclature.  The following information can be applied in a general fashion.

During the 1930’s the “Barling’s Make” logo undergoes a style change, smaller in size with simpler block lettering.  Model numbers will occasionally be stamped below the logo.  These model numbers may be 4 digits beginning with a 1 for the English and European market.  For the “overseas” market 3 digits, 2 digits and a letter, or 2 digits will be used.  The “MADE IN ENGLAND.” stamp is also in use.  As with all things related to the Barling nomenclature there are variations.  Sometimes there is no “MADE IN ENGLAND.” stamp. Examples exist with a “MADE IN LONDON” over “ENGLAND” stamp.  And, there are examples with “MADE IN ENGLAND” with no period after the word “ENGLAND”. It appears that over the years, a number of stamps were used, with no apparent reason why some later pipes featured the early "Barling's Make" stamp.

[[File:brochure02_03.jpg|thumb|200px|Plate from 1957 Brochure]][[File:brochure02_01.jpg|thumb|200px|Plate from 1957 Brochure]]A script “Barling’s” logo is used for the Pre-Transition Guinea Grain grade.  In addition to the script “Barling’s” logo the pipes hare an “EB” and “Regd” stampings.

Also, Gage also cites a possible exception to this model number rule, which will be pointed out in the section concerning Transition nomenclature.  We should add that based on the examination of the two 1962 catalogs we believe that the definition of a Pre-Transition piece should be based on the use of the block “BARLING’S MAKE” logo and not the model numbers.

Following the Second World War the Barling Company developed (or expanded the use of) an array of descriptive stampings.  Added to the famous “Ye Olde Wood” were other descriptors such as “TVF” (the very finest), “Special” - a designation for pipes with better than average graining, “Fossil” - a designation for sandblasted pipes, Straight Grain, and Birdseye - for pipes exhibiting exceptional birdseye.   

Size stampings come into common use as well.  There are some variations cited in the range of size stampings, but the following are given with the understanding that this may be revised based on input from knowledgeable collectors.  The sizes, going from the smallest to the largest, are as follows: SS, S, S-M, L, EL, EXEL, EXEXEL. LF (long flat) and LLF (long-long flat) were used Canadian style pipes with unusually long shanks and generally of EXEXEL size. These stampings were added late in the company's family ownership, and would have simply been designated EXEXEL prior to the introduction of these size stampings. Giant pipes, or magnums, which are oversized standard billiards, were not stamped "G" but are commonly identified by collectors as such because they are obviously large relative to even EXEXEL pipes, and carried no size sampings.