The Savinelli name goes back to 1876, when Achille Savinelli Sr. opened a shop in downtown Milan (which I have been to; it's a fantastic shop) catering exclusively to the smoker; it was one of the first shops of its kind in the world. While the shop sold pipes designed by Achille and manufactured by artisans from the Varese region, many people don't know that the Savinelli factory did not open its doors and begin producing their own pipes until 1947. Started by cousins Achille Savinelli Jr. (grandson of the founder) and Enea Buzzi, they eventually split, with Achille keeping the Savinelli factory and Buzzi forming Brebbia Pipes in 1953. Today, Savinelli produces over 150,000 pipes annually, from the lowliest no-name shop pipes to the ultra-high-grade Autograph 000. With the stockpile of wood that Savinelli has, just about everything coming out of their factory is going to smoke great!
Recently, we were lucky to find a cache of unsmoked pipes dating from the mid 1960's to early 1970's. Amongst these were a number of Savinellis in pristine, unsmoked condition, including De Luxe Milanos, Extras, Capri Roots, Leather-covered Grand Prixs and even some Savinelli-made Antique Shells. Some have boxes and sleeves, while others don't, but each and every one of them is at least 30 years old, and many of the lines aren't made anymore.
Here we have an unsmoked De Luxe Milano. Although this line is no longer made, during the 1970s the De Luxe was an incredibly popular Savinelli line that nestled in between the Punto Oro and the Extra. (For those interested, the heirarchy for smooth standard shapes went Guibileo D'Oro, Punto Oro, De Luxe, Extra, then a variety of more inexpensive lines; in a late 1960s Iwan Ries catalog, the Punto Oro was priced at $18; the De Luxe at $13.50; and the Extra at $8.) It is not uncommon to find De Luxes with clean wood, although you usually see fills; they often have excellent grain and the staining reminds one of a well-smoked Dunhill Root.
This particular De Luxe is a beautiful square-shanked billiard, shape number 505KS. There are a couple small fills here and there, but nothing terrible. A beautiful pipe, waiting all these years to be smoked.
Markings read: SAVINELLI, de luxe, MILANO, 505KS, (Savinelli Shield), ITALY. Original stem has inlaid gold bar logo. Measurements: 5 1/2" long, bowl is just under 1 1/2" wide and just under 2" tall. The pipe weighs 39 grams. About a Dunhill large group 4 or small group 5 in capacity.
Condition:
9.85 out of 10. There are a couple very small, light handling marks here and there, but nothing terrible. I'd call them "shop marks", just from handling at the store. Unsmoked and ready to pack and light. I am not sure if I have an original box or sleeve, but if I do, I will include it with the pipe.
