Chacom Gentleman 836 Sandblasted Dublin, circa 1955 | French Briar Estate

Welcome to Pipe Collectors Encyclopedia, your premier destination for museum-quality estate pipes with comprehensive historical and technical documentation. IDENTIFICATION This is a Chacom Gentleman 836, a sandblasted Dublin-form pipe manufactured in Saint-Claude, France, circa 1955-1959. The Gentleman series represents mid-20th-century French pipe-making at its most refined, engineered as compact, lightweight smoking instruments for the discerning gentleman. This example exemplifies the post-war renaissance of Chacom's production, when hand-guided sandblasting and precise shape standardization defined the brand's export reputation. HISTORICAL CONTEXT Chacom was established in 1825 as part of the Chapuis-Comoy family dynasty, solidifying its position as France's premier pipe maker by 1946. The Gentleman line emerged in the mid-20th century as an accessible yet refined response to post-war leisure culture, engineered for everyday indulgence without pretense. During the 1950s, Chacom's three-digit shape codes (like the 836) became standardized across export models, accompanied by full "GENTLEMAN" nomenclature. This era witnessed hand-guided sandblasting techniques and subtle innovations such as the P-lip bit design, intended to reduce tongue bite and enhance moisture control. The briar itself came from the Jura Mountains, sourced and processed to exacting specifications. GRADING & MARKS * Primary stamp: "CHACOM" (maker name, hand-applied) * Secondary stamp: "GENTLEMAN" (line designation) * Tertiary stamp: "836" (shape code, three-digit format) * Tertiary stamp: "FRANCE" (country of origin) * Finish: Sandblasted (hand-guided technique, circa 1950s) * Grade: Export-quality briar, mid-century standard SHAPE ANALYSIS The 836 is a Dublin form: a compact, tapered cylindrical bowl with gentle outward curve, seated on a straight shank of moderate length. The stem is finished with a simple, tapered design typical of 1950s Chacom production. Overall proportions favor portability and discrete carry, a hallmark of the Gentleman series philosophy. BRIAR & FINISH The briar displays the characteristic tight grain structure of Jura-sourced wood, medium brown in base color with natural grain variation visible beneath the sandblasted texture. The hand-guided sandblasting creates an organic, irregular surface texture-distinctly different from the uniformity of modern machine etching. This finish both conceals minor grain imperfections and enhances visual appeal through subtle light-play across the surface. CONDITION REPORT Overall condition: Good to very good, consistent with age and estate origin. Rim: Minor darkening and light wear consistent with use; to be confirmed upon detailed inspection. Chamber: Clean, no major fills or repairs visible. Stem: Oxidation and surface wear present; to be confirmed for bite marks, cracks, or structural integrity. Fills or repairs: None evident from current examination. Professional restoration may be recommended to address stem oxidation and rim darkening. DIMENSIONS * Overall length: To be confirmed * Bowl height: To be confirmed * Chamber diameter: To be confirmed * Chamber depth: To be confirmed * Weight: To be confirmed CLOSING This Chacom Gentleman 836 ships directly from the Faridunhill archive, carefully catalogued and professionally sanitized. Worldwide shipping available; professional restoration consultation offered upon request. SKU: SKU-139