Here, as Watson might say, we have into a vexed question. I’m fairly certain that this is a family era Barling’s. Simply because the stamping says just that, “Barling’s” and not Barling. But, because it is a Guinea Grain, the stamping is in script. That was always the case with the Guinea Grain model. Further, there is no shape number on this pipe…perhaps that is more evidence of its age, but I don’t know. Barling authorities know the answer to these questions. Sadly, this is a replacement stem. That shouldn’t have any impact on how the briar performs (although I am a longtime advocate for comfortable stems, which the old Barlings had) but we all know it has a large impact on how the pipe will be priced. The bowl is in very good condition, with no wear on the inner rim, but only some carbon residue and not much of that. Did I mention it is an EXEXEL? It is. In this case, it means a Grp. 6 size. And the rest of the nomenclature is all there an quite legible, too. The draw is wide-open and the vulcanite stem is actually pretty comfortable. It’s in pristine condition.
5.9” long, bowl 1.65” tall. Weight: 1 5/8 oz., 46 grams.