Copper Smoking Pipe

[tgodin6]

I recently found a copper smoking pipe in a small stream in Massachusetts. It was very puzzling to me because I had never seen or heard of a copper smoking pipe. After doing some research I found that Native Americans actually used copper smoking pipes and if you were to find one it was likely to be in a river or stream. But the pictures I found of these Native American copper pipes looked different than mine as the stem was completely straight whereas mine has two curves in it. So if anyone could give me any information at all about this pipe that would be greatly appreciated!

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

A History of Mining on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska - Grab it through Amazon!

[relic lover]

It looks like in the bowl is soldered to the stem so I would have to doubt that was made by Indians looks more like a chandelier part to me

 

[Back-of-the-boat]

I think it is a candle holder.IMO

 

[Bruce R]

Are you sure the stem is hollow ? It looks like a little dipper for holy water or something , seems like it would get awful hot as a pipe.

 

[nhbenz]

Some good ideas above, and I'd think it had originally been plated (silver or nickel, etc.), copper being a good base for that.

 

[tgodin6]

The stem is hollow and flat leading me to believe it is a pipe, hope this picture can help!

 

[Bruce R]

Sure looks like a pipe but I shudder to think about how hot that thing would get once you got her stoked up and rolling, you'd need welding gloves to hold it and the heat would travel up the stem pretty fast. Not to mention that you'd probably be poisoned. I don't know how far back lead soldering really goes, but if the stem is seamless I'd doubt that it's Indian.

 

[villagenut]

If not a candle holder, possibly a candle snuffer.

 

[nhbenz]

There arent possibly markings on the stem are there? I'm wrong a lot when I "see things", so take it with a grain of salt that I'm thinking there may be something there.

 

[Bruce R]

Something to drip oil into something? Or maybe a bubble pipe.

 

[Bruce R]

One way to really tell, clean it, pack her up with some Prince Albert and fire it up !

 

[allison86]

It's cool

 

[ArDirtSlinger]

If not a candle holder, possibly a candle snuffer.

I vote candle snuffer also

 

[digger460]

We know the Indians experiment with mind altering tobaky. Maybe just brave it and light her up. You'll know

 

[Bruce R]

I'm curious as to how you'd tell the difference between the drug and verdigris poisoning.

 

[relic lover]

I'd be less worried about the solder poisoning me. I am pretty sure that copper releases arsenic when heated that's why they don't use it for pipes today.

 

[relic lover]

I'm curious as to how you'd tell the difference between the drug and verdigris poisoning.

Just Googled the Verdigris poisoning thing never heard of it thanks for the info. In my work as an electrician I often have to clean off green patina from electrical connections and parts I frequently use a wire wheel on a drill I'll definitely be wearing a dust mask from now on.

 

[Bruce R]

I make the same mistake sometimes buffing brass and copper, my lungs burn like fire for days afterwards.

 

[digger460]

I'm curious as to how you'd tell the difference between the drug and verdigris poisoning.

Can't answer that until I look up the word "verdigris"

 

[digger460]

Can't answer that until I look up the word "verdigris"

I was only kidding! Please don't try it