Ermanno Elite 60 S Smooth Dark Green Estate Briar Pipe, 9mm Filter

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IDENTIFICATION

Ermano Elite, model 60 S, smooth dark green finish. Straight billiard form with acrylic saddle stem, 9mm filter takedown. Fishtail mouthpiece. Estate acquisition, pre-smoked, very good condition overall with visible wear consistent with moderate use.

HISTORICAL CONTEXT

Ermano Elite pipes represent a production line from European briar manufacturing, positioned in the mid-market segment where hand-work on finishing and stem fitting meets efficient production methods. The maker's focus on accessible, well-finished pipes for daily smoking has sustained collector interest across decades, particularly among estate hunters seeking solid workmanship without premium pricing. The Elite line designation typically marks pipes selected for consistent briar quality and careful finish application - a grading tier that sits between production basics and the maker's highest-hand-worked offerings. The 60 and its variants appear across the line's catalog in various finishes: smooth dark stains, rustication, and polished surfaces. The S designation, stamped on the shank, represents a specific size or finish code within the numbering system; pipes marked 60 S are known for balanced proportions and reliable draw characteristics. Collectors favor Ermanno Elite pipes for their honest construction, legible finish work, and the straightforward aesthetic that defined serious daily-smoker pipes across the mid-20th-century continental European market. The dark green stain - when applied to briar with modest grain - creates a formal appearance suited to office and evening settings, and the color has aged gracefully on pipes that have seen genuine use.

GRADES AND MARKS

Ermanno Elite: maker and line designation, stamped on the shank.
60 S: shape and size code, as stamped. The 60 indicates the specific bowl and shank geometry; the S modifier denotes finish or size variant within that shape family.
Metal accents: brass band at the shank joint, consistent with period construction practice for reinforcement and aesthetic framing.

No country-of-origin mark or date code was read from the stamps. No hallmarks or maker's personal signature present.

SHAPE ANALYSIS

The pipe presents as a straight billiard: cylindrical bowl of moderate depth, upright stance, straight shank. Bowl diameter and depth are proportionate for balanced smoking in both hand and rack. The acrylic saddle stem-a plastic composite material chosen for durability and low cost-seats securely in the shank and provides the fishtail mouthpiece opening for comfortable drawing. This geometry is foundational to European production pipes: simple to manufacture, stable in the hand, unforgiving of stem-fit errors but rewarding when fitted well. The straight configuration suits smokers who prefer a neutral, non-gestural hold and who value visual clarity-no bends or decorative flanges to distract from the briar grain or finish color. The 9mm filter system was standard across many Continental makers from mid-century onward, allowing users to select standard-bore or reduced-draw configurations as preference demanded.

BRIAR AND FINISH

Dark green smooth finish, hand-stained and likely buffed to a satin sheen. On estate pipes of this type, the green stain was typically applied after light sanding and sometimes a sealer coat, then finished with wax or oil. The smooth - not rusticated - treatment emphasizes the grain structure and allows the briar to speak for itself. Dark stains of this depth were popular for projecting formality and masking surface character marks; they aged well under tobacco tar accumulation, darkening further over decades. The finish on this example has faded at the rim, a predictable effect of cleaning and exposure to light; the body retains good color saturation. Under light, the briar shows modest grain orientation, typical of the middle-quality logs selected for Elite-line production.

CONDITION REPORT

Overall grade: very good. The pipe is pre-smoked and shows honest use.

Rim: color faded due to cleaning, but no deep charring, cake buildup, or rim bruising noted.
Chamber: clean, ready to smoke.
Bowl exterior: smooth finish intact. Light scratches visible on the briar surface, minor dents present. Consistent with age and moderate handling.
Shank and band: brass band secure, no separation. No cracks or structural damage to the wood.
Stem: acrylic saddle stem in good order. Tiny dents noted on the stem material-cosmetic, not affecting draw. Fishtail mouthpiece intact, no cracks or splits.
Airway: clear and patent.
No fills, repairs, or structural rebuilding detected.

This pipe is ready to smoke immediately after a light reaming and cleaning.

DIMENSIONS

Overall length: 155 mm (6.2 inches)
Bowl height: 52 mm (2.1 inches)
Bowl width: 40 mm (1.6 inches)
Chamber depth: 45 mm (1.8 inches)
Chamber diameter: 20 mm (0.8 inches)
Weight: 2.1 oz
Filter: 9 mm
SKU-214
CLOSING

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