Well, I spent an hour starting the clean up of this pipe. It had never been reamed, or had a pipe cleaner through it by the looks of things. Whilst cleaning the bit a weird tobacco goo formed over the entire bit, never seen anything like it. GROSS. Dear lord it was stinky and sticky and stained everything. The bowl was clogged, it appeared to have been smoked until it filled the draught hole with char and baccy then simply thrown aside.
Also, I'm not certain that it has it's original bit. The bit's fit was sloppy and the facing on either it or the shank (I suspect the shank) is terrible. The shank may have been bashed (with stem removed) to try and clear it. Sad, such a beautiful pipe so abused. i heated up the sand and compressed the tenon a tad to get a tight union, so at least that is fixed.
After polishing with three compounds and wheels I then tried an old toothbrush with olive oil. It worked a bit, but there is still a long way to go. This one will need the carnauba I think, will see.
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