Dr. Grabow pipes began with Louis B. Linkman († 1957), of the M. Linkman and Co. of Chicago in 1932 (Pat # 1 896 800). Linkman and Co. ceased producing the Dr. Grabow pipes around 1953. After this date the brand was owned by Henry Leonard and Thomas (HLT), Inc. of Queens, New York and produced by Sparta Pipes Inc.
In 1969, US Tobacco acquired Sparta Pipes and rights to Dr. Grabow.
Lane Ltd. acquired the Dr. Grabow property from US Tobacco. Lane Ltd. came under ownership of RJ Reynolds and British American Tobacco in about 2000.
Dr. Paul E. Grabow died in 1965 at age 97.
Production (2006): ~250,000 pipes/year

 

▲ This pipe is estimated by its stampings to be from 1933-37 timeframe. The logo is the propeller pre-spade marking.

The earliest Dr. Grabow pipes are stamped with both Linkman's and Dr. Grabow, described as Bruyere, or Italian Briar. Pre-1944 model names included the SPECIAL, DELUXE (this pipe), and SUPREME.
The Linkman's stamp was discontinued around 1944.
Linkman's Dr. Grabow pipes are also stamped with a 4-digit code indicating the model and shape.

See also : Linkman's

The CDL line was test marketed from 1975 to 1983 in several U.S. cities. They never went into full production.

 

 

The Duke line was introduced in 1969

The Lark line was introduced in 1969

The Royal Duke line was introduced in 1969

 

▲ This pipe was probably made in the 1940 - 1953 Chicago period.

 

More infos here: Smoking Metal
See also: Viking (Bjarne)

One of the earliest pipes of the RJ Reynolds era.