My guess is that Tilshead, with some of the same people that worked at Charatan, used some of the same methods that Charatan did, and if so, this pipe is the result of that method. When the workers walked into the workshop each morning, I was told by an old pipe insider, the blackboard indicated the grade of pipe they were to produce, based on salesmen’s orders. Thus, if the company needed to produce a large number of Executives to fill orders, the quality of the grade was secondary to the need to fill the orders. If the grain might be worthy of a Selected or even a Supreme, it would be stamped “Executive” and a buyer would get a great pipe at a great price. Similarly, however, if the grain would have normally dictated a “Distinction” grade (lower in the pecking order) it would also get the “Executive” stamp. If this sounds questionable to you, simply look at the disparity in grains of any Charatan grade. The claim will make a lot of sense.
‍ ‍ In that spirit, I do not see why this pipe is not an Upshall The straight grain quality certainly justifies the Upshall title, as does the workmanship. Size? Grp. 7. Condition? Excellent. First come, first served.
7.5” long, Bowl 1.85” tall. Weight: 2 5/8 oz., 75 grams.