Richard: Clay tobacco pipes have not been OUT of production since they
were first produced.  One of the chapters (#10) in my Master's Thesis
was on the tobacco related artifacts from the 1865 wreck of the
Steamboat Bertrand.  No white clay pipes were discovered however, ther
were lots of terra cotta "elbow' style pipes from Pamlin Virginia
meant to have been used used with an insertable reed stem.  The were
also some briar pipes and other wooden pipes which I seem to remember
as apple wood.  The only stems found were some of the reed/cane stems
and some composit material stems which also had a rounded profile.  I
also have white ball clay tobacco pipes in my collection with "modern"
flat style intergral bits.

Wear on teeth from tobacco pipes will not only de determined by the
Shape of the bit but also by the Material of the bit and how Long and
how Often the person smoked.

Smoke Pfeiffer

On 11/26/06, Richard Wright <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> What is the window of time, in England & USA, when tobacco pipes changed
> from clay (sub-circular stem) to briar (oval mouthpiece of vulcanite or
> Bakelite)? My question relates to interpreting patterns of wear on anterior
> teeth.
>


-- 
Smoke Pfeiffer

Absence of Evidence is NOT Evidence of Absence