I don’t know about the benefit of having metal around the rim of the chamber of a smoking pipe. When the pipe is in action, that metal is going to get very hot to the touch. Yet, it’s obvious that this pipe was smoked a number of times, so perhaps the taste of the briar outvoted the negative aspect of a hot rim and the smoker learned to be careful. The carbon residue on the top of that rim will likely come off pretty easily…unlike wood, the carbon won’t soak in and be absorbed by the metal. The overall condition is pretty good. Most importantly, the stem, likely an early plastic, fits well; often on threaded stem goes past center, so to speak, but not here. It’s clearly an original stem and happily there are no tooth marks on it. The draw is open. Other than some dings on the body, and slight ones at that, the pipe is in very good condition, or am I repeating myself? Other than scorching my hand on the rim, I wouldn’t hesitate to smoke this pipe. Or put it on the rack as a decorative accent.
5.5” long, bowl 1.9” tall. Weight: 1 3/8 oz., 40 grams.