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I have been looking at pictures of Dunhill bulldogs and Rhodesians in preparation for the PITH. Looking into the pipe chamber it looks like the airway is made of or lined with a metal tube, tip angled almost like a hypodermic needle where it enters the chamber. Is this correct? And if so, what is the purpose of it?

Thanks,
George

I know precious little about Dunhills, but I have read that the inner-tube is meant to provide a continuous airway without gaps.

Modern cotton & wire pipecleaners are a relative latecomer to the smoking world. Before they became the standard, cleaning pipes was much more of a PITA. Usually feathers were used, in fact. (!)

To side-step the problem Dunhill invented the slip-fit innertube. Cleaning was simplified, and just replace the tube when it became overly gunked up.

Thanks guys. Just curious because I had not seen his in other pipes.

Only seen with Dunhills because the idea/design was patented. Each individual tube has a patent # imprinted on it, in fact.

So the owner can remove the tube, clean it and then re-insert it? I wonder if they get too tight or too loose the way a stem tenon does. Also, I am seeing this on new/current production Dunhills so it is still being done apparently. Very interesting.

George

Designed to be a loose/slide fit. Yup. Remove, clean, replace.