Lorenzo Prato 8737 Bent Billiard | Orange Smooth 9mm Filter Fishtail Metal Stem

Welcome to Pipe Collectors Encyclopedia, your premier destination for museum-quality estate pipes with comprehensive historical and technical documentation. A superb Lorenzo bent billiard from Prato, Italy, serial number 8737, representing mid-20th century Italian engineering at its finest. This orange smooth finish pipe features a rare 9mm filter system paired with a fishtail mouthpiece and distinctive metal-to-vulcanite stem construction, all preserved in exceptional condition. Lorenzo pipes originate from Prato, Italy, a region celebrated for textile manufacturing but also home to a distinguished briar pipe tradition. Founded by Lorenzo Gamberini, the brand achieved prominence from the 1950s onward for meticulously engineered pipes with innovative material combinations, flawless drilling, and reliable performance. Lorenzo earned collector respect through consistent quality briar selection and comfortable stem design. This numbered example embodies the maker's hallmark precision and thoughtful construction. GRADING AND MARKS: - Maker stamp: "LORENZO" with serial number "8737" on shank - Red inlaid "L" logo on vulcanite saddle bit - Country origin: "ITALY" marking present - Filter system: 9mm compatible - Finish grade: Smooth orange stain - Metal band: Decorative, no hairline fractures under band SHAPE ANALYSIS: The bent billiard presents a classic symmetrical bowl with proportionate height-to-width ratio, transitioning through a smooth curve into an oval shank that yields to a metal stem section. The fishtail mouthpiece offers ergonomic positioning and customizable draw control when paired with the 9mm filter system. BRIAR AND FINISH: The orange smooth finish exhibits even color saturation with no fade or sun-damage. Grain structure is tight and uniform, typical of quality Prato production. The finish shows gentle patina consistent with respectful use over decades, with no refinishing evident. CONDITION REPORT: Overall condition: Excellent to near mint. No cracks, structural repairs, or fills detected. Rim shows only the most subtle darkening at the edge, consistent with age. Chamber interior is clean with light cake buildup. Metal stem shows expected verdigris patina with no corrosion pitting. Vulcanite saddle bit displays minimal oxidation and remains flexible. The decorative band sits without separation or hairline fractures in surrounding briar-a critical detail often compromised in vintage pieces. 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 This museum-quality example ships from the Faridunhill archive with comprehensive documentation. Worldwide shipping available. All pipes professionally sanitized to collector standards. SKU: SKU-185