CASTELLO PIPES – DATING & INFORMATION GUIDE

1947 – Carlo Scotti begins the company. In the beginning ( 1947 – 1949, maybe 1950 ) the pipes were stamped Mi Reserva ( my reserve ). Later the Reg No was added. This Reg No has nothing to do with shape numbers, but is merely the Castello company trademark.

Vulcanite stems used until? This is an interesting question. From early Castello pipe advertising from the Wally Frank and later Hollco Rohr companies it says the pipe comes with Vulcanite stems. However the photo’s appear to have pipes with Lucite stems. To our knowledge no one has yet seen a Vulcanite stemmed Castello with the faux diamond logo inset.

The Old Sea Rock and the Sea Rock co-existed. As far as I know, the OSR was US only, imported by Hollco Rohr, and sported the rhinestone. The Sea Rock goes back to the early days.

There was an Antiquari (not Old Antiquari) that was also a Hollco import, and was fume top and rusticated. I think it was only around for a couple of years.

Stem logo’s. White bar, black dot, and faux diamond. The first stem logo was the white bar. However once Castello began it’s working relationship with The Wally Frank Co a different stem logo was required, as The Wally Frank Co had a line of pipes named White Bar.

The faux diamond logo was created and used primarily for the US market for many years.
Castello still occasionally put rhinestones in the mouthpieces, just to maintain it’s value as a trademark. It’s not on many pieces. The black dot logo is used on Castello pipes with white Lucite stems.

Shape numbers. Shape numbers are all 2 digits. A 2 in front indicates a “fancy” interpretation, a 3 in front means that the carving is somehow unique. I don’t know when the change was made, but currently, a π symbol is used instead of the 3xx. It may be seen on a variety of finishes, that may have a unique carved section or some other interesting feature.

Hollco Rohr begins distribution in the mid to late 1960’s when they take over the Wally Frank Company.

Big Line – stamp used from 1968 – 1972. Replaced by Great Line, although still used on huge pipes.

Colored Lucite stems – used in the 1970’s and on occasion today although the material is difficult to find.

Pre K grading. Late 1950’s to mid 1960’s the pipe carried stamps which indicated sizes. These were as follows; SA, SB, SC, and SS. SA being the smallest and SS the largest.

K grading begins. In 1969 Franco ( Kino ) Coppo joins the firm. In the late 1960’s and early 1970’s the company began the use of the K grading. The upper case large K, was used for non smooth pipes to designate size. For smooth pipes to indicate a combination of grain quality and size. These are also the years that Castello switched from machine made pipes that were hand finished to completely hand made pipes.

Switch from large K to small k in an oval. In 1982 the company changed from the use of the large upper case K grading to a small lower case k within an oval ( 2 k or greater ) or circle for single k grades.

1984 – 1985 Franco ( Kino ) Coppo takes over the running of the firm. The Kino “knickname” given to Franco by Carlo Scotti, and is a shortened version of his full birth name, Franchino.

The Natural Vergin were issued in 1967 first but only in 1985 they started to be produced in series only on the natural carved pipes.

1987 – the 40th anniversary Castello begins the number within a castle stamp. The number added to 1947 gives the year of pipe creation. ie 50 within a castle = 1947 + 50 = 1997.

1992 – Carlo Scotti passes away.

1997 -US stamp begins

2007 – KINO stamp begins – 60th anniversary. Kino is Franco Coppo’s nick name.

X – stamped on pipe. This stamp is added to pipes that are picked up directly at the factory by customers. Indicates a “friendship” pipe.

Ever wonder where your pipe came from? Which shop had it first? If so, read below;

N1 = Novelli ( Italy )
CZ – Tabaccheria Corti
N = Noli ( Italy )
F = Fincato ( Italy )
LO = Lorenzi ( Italy ) ( this shop has closed and they used to add a * on every pipe )
B = Bonfiglioli ( Italy )
BO = Bollito ( Italy )
B15 = Bollito ( Italy )
V = Agide ( Italy )
SO = Tabaccheria Scarafioffi ( Italy )
JO = Osstermann ( Austria )
R3 = Ruocco Raffaella of Savona ( Italy )
L – Lanzola ( Italy )
US = sold into the US via the US Castello agent
A = “Amicizia” or friendship. That is the stamping for the pipes given for free to friends. It is quite rare.
LOB = is part of a large collection that the factor purchased and then stamped with LOB (Legendary old briar)
M – Montanari ( Italy )

The information gathered on this page comes from a variety of sources on the internet and through emails and conversations. I’d like to Thank these gentlemen for their help; Marco Parascenzo, Franco Coppo ( via Marco ), Greg Pease, Mike Penix, Bob Hamlin, Chris Jones, Mike McCain, and Mike Davis

Current finishes and grades

Sea Rock Briar – rusticated finish – various stains
k, kk , kkk, kkkk, G, GG, GL,GGG

Old Sea Rock – rusticated finish – fumed rim
k, kk, kkk,kkkk,G,GG, GL, GGG

Natural Vergin – rusticated – un stained
k, kk, kkk,kkkk,G,GG, GL, GGG

Old Antiquari – sand blast – various stains
k , kk , kkk , kkkk , G , GG, GL

Trademark – smooth – various stains
k , kk, kkk, kkkk, G, GG, GL

“Castello” – smooth – various stains
kk,kkk, kkkk,G , GG, GL

Perla Nera – smooth polished black
k , kk

Collection – smooth – various stains
k , kk, kkk, kkkk

Occho di Pernice – smooth – graded birds eye
k, kk,

Aristocratica – smooth – fumed rim
Trade Mark, “Castello”, Collection, Collection Great Line
Castello Collection Fiammata, Collect Great Line Fiammata

Dune – carved
k,kk

Big Line – various grades
Sea Rock, Old Antiquari, “Castello”, Collection

Collection Great Line – smooth – free style
k , kk kkk , kkkk

Collection Fiammata – smooth – flame or straight grain
k , kk, kkkk, kkkk

Collection Great Line Fiammata – smooth – flame or straight grain free style
k , kk , kkk , kkkk

Special Series – Cavallo, Riso, Lake Como, Regimental, Ancoretta, Milano, Tennis, Osso di Seppia, and more.

Sea Rock, Old Antiquari, Trademark, Castello, Collection , Occhio di pernice , Fiammata

Options

Preziosa ( semi precious stone floc ) – DISCONTINUED
briar shank or stem application
silver floc or band
18 k gold band – DISCOUNTINUED
18k gold band with lacquer inlay – DISCONTINUED
silver pin / nail
common stone inlay
special pi trim