This Ashton is in crisp, clean, sharp condition, throughout. If the date was stamped on the bottom of the shank, I don’t see it. What I do see is the grade, “Brindle.” If you know anything of the history of this pipe, you know that it was David Field that initiated and conducted Bill “Ashton” Taylor through the entire process of going independent and starting a new English, classic, brand, one which was extremely successful. Well, David’s hand is eminently visible here in the grading…David has always objected to the misappropriated term, “Cumberland” stem. He gently insists that the stem this pipe sports is either a brindle stem or, stretching it just a bit for popularity’s sake, a ‘bowling ball’ stem. I would bet my home that it was David that got Bill to call this finish a Brindle, based on the stem style. David was influential in a lot of developments by pipe makers, rarely, if ever, seeking to take public acknowledgement of same. Believe me, if I ever come up with an idea that is adopted by anyone, I’m getting on the roof and showing the rooster a thing or two about crowing. This pipe is a Grp. 4 size. Used.
Info that recently arrived, thanks to smart correspondents, reveals that this pipe is from 2019, the “219” being a Jimmy Craig addition to the nomenclature.
5.3” long, bowl 1.9” tall. Weight: 1 1/8 oz., 30 grams.