For over 60 years, the Castello name has been synonymous with high-end, collectible pipes in a way no other brand (save Dunhill) can compete. Formed by Carlo Scotti in 1947, Scotti (and later, his son-in-law Franco Coppo) grew Castello into one of the premier pipe companies in the world. As a pioneer in high grade pipes, Castello has continually raised the bar in quality and craftsmanship against which all other Italian pipes are judged. Castello's innovations - including adoption of extensive grading and nomenclature, their use of well-aged air-cured wood, and being the first company to embrace Lucite for stems - is proof that they changed pipe making, and collecting, forever. Their influence is vast, with names like Caminetto, Radice and many other Italian artisans tracing their roots back to Castello; in addition, their style has spawned numerous imitators around the world. There is no denying it: The pipe world would be a much different place without the passion and innovation that Castello created.
This unsmoked Castello is a very nice-looking 4K Trade Mark grade slightly bent squat bulldog. It features mixed graining with flamegrain around most of the bowl, a medium chamber, and a slender, tapered stem with white bar logo. This one has the newer light-stain finish Castello is now implementing for better-grained Trade Mark pieces. This is a new, unsmoked U.S. piece, and fully covered by the Castello warranty.
To see a close-up of the bowl, please click this link.
Markings read: CASTELLO, TRADEMARK, KKKK (in oval), KIMO (in an oval), MADE IN CANTU' ITALY. Lucite stem features white bar logo is lightly stamped "HAND MADE CASTELLO ". Measurements: 5 5/8" long, bowl is 2" wide and 1 3/4" tall. About a Dunhill group 4 in capacity.
Condition:
10 out of 10. Unsmoked and perfect. A very nice Castello with a bit of old English styling.
