Castello (c. 1968-82) “Castello” 3K Smooth Lovat Estate Briar Pipe, Italian Estates

In the world of pipes, Italy is famous for its workshops—institutions that operate at a smaller scale to factories, but in which expert artisans work tirelessly to create pipes entirely by hand. Founded in 1947 by Carlo Scotti, Castello is one of the oldest and most renowned of these workshops, and Castello pipes are often spoken of as Italy’s answer to England’s famous Dunhill pipes. Known for its equally high-grade smooth, sandblasted, and rusticated finishes, Castello’s legacy is felt not only in the continued success of the make itself, but also in the various, similarly high-end workshops founded by former Castello craftsmen, such as Caminetto, Radice, and Ascorti. The “Castello” was, for a long time, Castello’s signature, strawberry-blonde finish (the line has since branched out into other stain variations), occupying a middle position between the workshop’s entry-level smooth line, the Trademark, and the typically lighter hues of the Collection line. In other words, it’s quintessentially Italian, high-grade pipe, complete with the choice briar, superior craftsmanship, and history that one expects from such pipes. Within that “Castello” grade bracket, Castello pipes are typically also further subdivided based on grain quality and size. One thing that bears noting is that this one is graded using an uppercase “K” system, which means it was made between the end of the 1960s and the early 1980s, as pipes made after that cut-off have been graded using a circled, lowercase “k.” Thus, this very traditional Lovat scored quite highly, receiving three “K”s. The condition is fair. Some rim darkening, blemishes in the finish on the bowl, and minor tooth marks. This pipe comes with its original box.   Details: Length: 5.3″ / 134.6mm Bowl Width: 0.76 / 19.30mm Bowl Depth: 1.55″ / 39.37mm Weight: 1.3oz / 38g

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