The joys and dangers of Ebay pipes

[OC Richard]

I spent a few hundred dollars on what I knew was a bit of a lottery ticket. Once they were in my hands, I could see that they were definitely quality pipes that look and sound gorgeous and should have cost significantly more than I paid for them.

That is what I love to hear!

I don't know if I've mentioned these Gillanders & McLeod Forfar pipes which seem to be in great condition for a very low price. Yes the seller's low transaction number is concerning. A guy in my pipe band plays a set like this and they have a wonderful tone.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/31386079093...UAAOSwk~1h5MZW

And yet another David Naill set for much less than they would cost new. This set is very interesting in being externally copied from Victorian-era pipes, with Naill's lovely aged ivory:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/29477524616...MAAOSwkpth1OnW

And a nice-looking McCallum set for a very low price, though there's loads of bidding. Once again the seller doesn't have very many transactions. The mounts seem to indicate a newer McCallum set: the cream-coloured Dunbar imitation ivory and alloy, as opposed to McCallum's previous ivory-coloured brittle resin and nickel-plated brass.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/30433788155...EAAOSwEBlh9TC8

And last but not least, for under $600 including shipping, a c1960s/1970s pipe in great condition with Catalin mounts proudly showing the pipes' age. They say they're RG Hardie Glasgow but the drone tops have a Gillanders look to them.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/22481040147...wAAOSwWYlh8v2D