PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
This Friday, September 3rd, 2021, marks the 123rd anniversary of Charles Peterson’s third and final patent on the System pipe. Join Pete Geeks and other pipe aficionados from all over the globe in celebrating the day by smoking your favorite Peterson System.
Do let everyone know in the comments section now or on Friday (1) what System you’ll be smoking on the day, (2) what tobacco, and (3) where you’re from. I’d love to hear from all seven continents (c’mon, Antarctica!) and as many countries as possible.
Feel free to circulate the poster above (right-click to save) or the PDF below at the forums you frequent.
System Day Tobacco Drying Paper 2021
XL315 Spigot System photo
courtesy Smokingpipes.eu
Hmmm, I think I will hit my centenary 1s, 4s, and perhaps end with the darwin deluxe (sandblast). 1s-will probably have some Peretti Boston Slices, 4s-Peretti Yuletide, and darwin deluxe-Peretti Thanksgiving. From Bohemia, NY
Tough decision, as I have so many, but – it will be my 4s Deluxe packed with Erinmore Flake, From Boca Raton, FL
That’s a sweet Irish combination, Arthur!
I’ll make it a point to smoke my 305 Heritage-finish, loaded with Prince Albert (released from his can).
My 4 AB and my giant House Pipe. That ought to frost their buns.
Jim, didja say you’ve got a 4AB? Don’t tell JimInks!! I’ve never seen one in “real” life, apart from Basil Rathbone movies and catalogs.
I will embrace the day and smoke one of my Smooth 1898-1998 Commemorative P-Lip X61’s loaded with some tobacco gifted to me by a fellow piper, some 9 year old G.L. Pease “Triple Play”. Mmm, it’s sure to be tasty ?. Thanks fellow piper?. From Billings in the Big Sky State.
P.S. I really love the shape of those “Hinch” silver shank caps like on the XL315 above. I’m not a big fan of the shape of the pipe, but I love those Sterling Spigots.
I didn’t think I’d like the XL315 shape either, figuring it wouldn’t hold well in my hand. But I have “seen the light.” It’s actually quite comfortable, at least in my hands. I have an estate XL315 Standard and a DeLuxe dark with the “right size” chamber. Both fantastic. As for your X61, I think you’re stretching it a bit, as it doesn’t technically qualify as a full System. But seeing as you are a C.P.G., bigger than me and way smarter than me, I’m gonna let it slide. . .
Ha, I’m pretty sure I’m not smarter. Perhaps I have a little more experience in different areas than yourself. Writing is definitely not a forte of mine. Bigger, I might outweigh you, but that’s about it.
Well, I was going for more of the 3rd Patent of the System. I guess I could smoke my Premier System 312. I think it incorporates all three patents?. Will that satisfy your requirements for System Day? ?. It smokes way better than the X61’s anyway.
[My X61 actually smokes as well as many of my Systems. Don’t tell Charles. And the judges ruled that “going for the 3rd Patent” qualifies for System Day. So now you’re registered for 2 smokes.]
I was thinking about drilling a well in one of my X61’s, but there is not much room…it would be kinda dicey and nerve racking. The shank is plenty long, so a small diameter well would work. I’d hate to drill through the bottom or side of the shank though?. If I could figure out an easy way to chuck the bowl square and tight in the lathe or mill, I might try it. A better idea….I could just smoke them as is, they are not terrible?. I wish I was a writer, then I could have a cool nom… Read more »
Hmmm. I wish I could have a cool nom de plume, too. I’ll have to make due with my turkey feathers, I guess. But y’know, my X61 is a fantastic smoker. You should just send me your two and write it off. I’ll see they don’t get used for firewood. 🙂
I actually smoked one of the X61’s last night loaded with C&D “Espresso”. It was a glorious smoke….I think I’ll keep them. I did notice that the airway in the one I did not smoke this time was small, less than 3.5mm. Maybe I just need to open the airway on that one a little?. I had not smoked this one with the tiny bit larger airway until last night. It definitely smoked better than what I remember of the first one.
Nix nix nix, John. You know you don’t like big-bowled pipes like those. You know and I know it. I’m forwarding you my address with a postage-paid box that should fit those X61s… LOL. In the meantime, thanks for all your help and technical advice, Sensei. Happy System Day!
I cannot yet distinguish a bowl size/shape difference between the XL305, XI315, and Sherlock Holmes Original pipes in my small collection. I too was surprised by how comfortable the shape is to hold. (I’m not very big, but my older hands mostly like to grasp bigger pipes.)
Hey Rob! That’s because they’re all the same bowl. The SH Original came first, the XL315 was originally designated for the US market (don’t ask me why) and the XL305 for the rest of the world. The smaller 05 came about just a few years earlier, in the mid-1980s, to replace the bent dublin 05, which smokes great but has a shank too narrow to adequately provide space for the reservoir.
Well apart from anyone in New Zealand I get a head start on System Day here is Australia. I will be smoking my Premier 305 with some Peterson Elizabethan Mixture.
Happy System Day every one!
Stuart, I get confused with the International Date Line. Does this mean you’ll be the first to celebrate System Day? That’s right, isn’t it?
Yep we are 1 day (well 14hours) ahead of the US east coast time due to the international dateline located in the Pacific Ocean. 🙂
You live in future!
I will go with my new favourite, the Spigot XL315 (exactly the one pictured above), which I received as a birthday present from my wife this summer. I’ll be packing it with Marlin Flake. Cheers from Finland!
Marlin Flake, one of my Top 5 all-time tobaccos. That’s a lovely pipe as well–you are blessed to have a wife to remember your birthday with a Peterson!
I have not heard of a special day celebrating the ‘System’ pipe before and now, having done so, I wonder why.
I shall begin the day with my Premier 313 and some Kendal Mahogany broken flake. Later I shall move on to a Standard 309 with Kendal Ennerdale broken flake, while finally finishing of with a Standard 307 and Gawith Hoggarth’s Balkan Mixture.
Happy System Day smoking to you all from the UK
I think you’ve got it covered, Richard, and we in the US certainly envy your tobacco possibilities! System Day was first celebrated in 2018.
Thank you, Mark, for promoting this.
Will enjoy a System on the day, probably with a home mix of blends from my go-to daily pouch.
The pipe shape mentioned is a good one and it sits surprisingly comfortably in the hand.
Nice to have this cultural reminder. Much appreciated.
Just like my nordic neighbour Gilbert I will enjoy some Marlin Flake, in my dear 309 System Standard. Skål/kippis from Sweden!
Hey Mates
I will be the first to enjoy the spirit of the day living as I do in Nelson, South Island, New Zealand. I will be smoking my Sandblast Sherlock Holmes Rathbone with 19 year old Dunhill Nitecap cellared for just such events as these. That should keep me going most of the day. Best wishes to all and stay safe.
James
Sounds excellent, James! That’s two Pete Geeks in New Zealand. Who’d a thought??
I have to say , I have an XL 315 System Spigot I picked up not long ago, and it has really nice grain and stain with no fills that I can see, I waited for it and finally got a beauty, I credit the purchase mostly to Mark Erwin and this blog and many others. And I also have a X61 P-LIP 1898-1998 still new in box I haven’t had it long, I did wonder about the drilling with condenser, it is very clean. So Yeah, I been busy. What to smoke and witch one still up for grabs,… Read more »
I do have some Red Rapparee, cause Marlin Flake was all gone.
Hi James, yes, that was the point of the P-LIP commemorative–celebrate the 3rd patent and use the tenon extension, which the original non-Systems like this would’ve had. The shape itself is found in the 1906 catalog as well.
Oh GOOD! A reason to celebrate!
This one is easy, I’ll start off with the NAP pipe in the morning – maybe some G&H Best Brown Flake #2. Then to top off the day, my new-to-me XL24 Spigot, perhaps opening an old tin of the Peterson Sherlock Holmes mixture! It will add to the celebratory day!
A humble, diminutive Standard 314 with faux marks along with GLP Quiet Nights. Included will be a 1937 emerald green Parker Vacumatic fountain pen and suitable paper to notate down the thoughts of the Thinking Man …
That’s a great pipe, no humble about it. And with a great Parker, you will inevitably produce great thoughts.
That’s what I tell myself … ?
Hello from Florida. This System day I’ll be starting of with a restored Republic Era 317 (not sure on the date the hallmarks are fully worn off) with Capstan Blue. Followed by my restored Republic Era 314 with some Condor Plug. To finish the day it will be Watch City’s The Churchwarden in my Irish Seconds B42 Premiere.
Full day, Kevin! Enjoy!
(1) System Standard XL305; (2) Irishman’s 5 o’clock; (3) Oregon, western North America.
Had a good smoke on the front porch just now, remembering two old friends who left this world very recently, and appreciating the comfort of Mr. Peterson’s lasting legacy to all of us.
An excellent way to end System Day. amen.
well…I’m just now filling my old 358 with Irish Oak… happy System Day folks
Irish Oak in a 358. Doesn’t get better, Yosemite.
I’ll be enjoying my Deluxe Special 230 (with custom crafted tenon extension… thanks to one of the faithful here) with a little bit of Capstan blue, in what has been recently lovely and temperate late-summer weather in SW North Carolina.
Yikes, Lee. I was gonna smoke Marlin Flake today in my 309 Premiere Blast. But you had to mention Capstan Blue. Now what do I do?
Got some 2020 Abingdon in a vintage 302 with the wide flare stem.
Happy System Day, Daniel! Love those wide-flare P-Lips, man.
I got a 12.5 Dark Smooth DeLuxe for my birthday (24 Aug) but I haven’t smoked it yet since it’s been so bloody hot here in Oklahoma and I’ve been sick with COVID (I’m glad to have been vaxed or it could be a lot worse). But I might just fire it up and have a couple of puff of my standard smoke — Sutliff’s 504C Aromatic English.
Jack, sorry to hear about the COVID! It’s hot as hell here in Texas, too, but given a choice, I’d rather be in the state of my birth (Okalahoma)! Hope you get to feeling better, and a late happy birthday!
Smoked my very first Peterson a 312 standard, and cracked the last tin of Squadron Leader to celebrate that day. SG blends are no longer available here.
Bavaria.
Martin, sorry to hear you can’t get SG in Bavaria. I hope you find a source.