Clay Pipes

Now that is really interesting information that I would have never guessed in a hundred years. I know a couple of carvers and I'll pass this on. :hatsoff:

Eric, would there be a danger in using, or just in the carving?

Here's a picture of my smoking possibles.

I received the tavern pipe as a gift. It's shortened over the years due to usage and breakage.
The red clay reed stem pipe is a story. :yakyak: In 1963 I played baseball in a recreation league. I was a first baseman. And, as infielders play, they dress their area of the playing surface. As I picked stone from the ground, I found the pipe partly buried in the infield. I pocketed it and later put it into my equipment bag. It was neat to have until I started reenacting, I realized I had the perfect original artifact. I later found out that the loom was brought in from the Monongahela River near Monesson and Chaleroi, PA area. So I thought it may have been dropped of of some river transport buy a trader, traveler military or other person. While at Ft Ligonier, PA about ten years ago, we were discussing pipes. One of the guys started talking about pipes. Our other member is an Archiologist by profession. He checked out my pipe at a previuos time earlier in the year. It tested out to be about 225 years approximately, at that time. When he was pressed as how he figured that out, he said, "That's what I do for a living." I've been asked why I use it and I use it because that's what it was made for. I only use it at reenacting events. I may have my family donate to an appropriate Historical Society dealing with the Monongahela River area from where the loom came. But, only after I leave this earth. :thumbsup: I only use the artifact pipe very sparingly and usually for special occasions and I usually use the tavern style clay.

Histories say that those clay pipes were commonly traded items both between Indian tribes, and with White Settlers, and then between White Settlers. Since he dates the pipe to during or after the revolution, it can have come from anybody to the site. White settlers and soldiers were in the Pittsburgh area before, during, and after the French and Indian War.

Yep, from anyone. When I cleaned it up, I kept it soaked in cold water and used a soft brush to clean out the dirt and grooves. I kept it in a small box for years until I started reenacting and doing rendezvous.

I have seen reproductions of those pipes, but they don't look nearly as good as the originals. You have a true treasure, and can enjoy it, too.

That is one amazing find. It's amazing that it's still in good condition. Imagine the stories that pipe could tell. Truth be known I'd be smoking it too if it were mine.

you can get clay pipes from Colonial Williamsburg in Williamsburg, Va. Clay pipes were used in the taverns and were "public" pipes. the smoker would smoke it and the next smoker would break off a small piece of the stem to smoke the same pipe. (Considered sanitary). When the pipe got to short they were thrown away, usually down a well.Colonial wells were a great source for all kinds of artifacts from the Colonial era. I know because I used to work for Colonial Williamsburg.
Bearclaw

That is a neat pipe and great story. However, it may be better left in the family. It probably does not have great intrinsic or museum value. They have been dug up by the many-many thousands. An old timer used to dig them out of the banks of the Ohio River and sell them at Friendship. I bought quite a few from him and have given most away over the years.

Wow! Thats a neat find! :thumbsup:

the smoker would smoke it and the next smoker would break off a small piece of the stem to smoke the same pipe.
Bearclaw[/quote]
Heard this myself many times but have also heard from a archeologist that it is incorrect. She claimed that no human being willingly puts a sharp object into their mouth for recreational purpose. She claimed that current interpretation is that old pipes just broke.

I learned of smoking and clay pipes from my Dad.1892-1964. he smoked community clays in the Wellfield pub in Rochdale, Lancs, England pre-1923. and he told me of the custom of breaking off the tip of a pre-smoked pipe's stem. and it was done for sanitary reasons... if the archeologist would site his pub experience and dates, I'd accept his reasoning. Hank

2571 said:

the smoker would smoke it and the next smoker would break off a small piece of the stem to smoke the same pipe.
Bearclaw

Click to expand...

Heard this myself many times but have also heard from a archeologist that it is incorrect. She claimed that no human being willingly puts a sharp object into their mouth for recreational purpose. She claimed that current interpretation is that old pipes just broke.

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Below are some broken bowels and stems I dug in a single site. This about 2/3rds of the bowel pieces and about 1/3rd of the stem pieces I dug.
It appears obvious to me that most of these stems were intentionally broken. Also a broken clay stem is NOT laceratingly sharp edge. Hope the young lady changes majors.... :shake:

That is correct Sir thank you for vindicating me.
The photos are great! You are also right about the stem. They snap like a piece of chalk.
Bearclaw

shortbow said:

I don't want to contravene the rule against religious discussion, If this does, please remove it with my apologies, I'll keep it simple, quick and as non-religious as possible.

Using a red pipestone or catlinite pipe for recreational smoking on the part of non-natives would not be considered good form by those who use it in a traditional manner.

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Shortbow,
There were sacred pipes and then there were everyday pipes, both made from catlinite. So it is possible to have an everyday pipe of catlinite and not offend.....

Albert

Hope the young lady changes majors....

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Politely stated. :applause:
My untyped thoughts were not so genteel. :wink: