CLEANERS and/or "STINGERS": Updated 11-20-2009 by RJM
Here's a discussion of CLEANER designs starting with the original design from the patent that started the Dr. Grabow line through some evolutions of the design that hardly resembled the original, yet the pipes still carried the patent number for it. We will continue to follow it from the last Chicago-made pipes to the first HL&T Sparta-made pipes, such as those applied to the Ajustomatic models. For whatever reason, the basic design still, more or less, kept the basic concept of the design.
Dr. Grabow pipes weren't the first, by far, to use some sort of metal condenser or cleaner. Kaywoodie "Drinkless" stinger feature appeared in ads at least as early as 1927. Apparently, Linkman's idea combined with a pipe cleaning spoon or "tool" was different enough to warrant a patent, though.
Below is some preliminary information, in a state of great flux as I continue to sort out my findings and better date manufacturing methods and designs. I have found absolutely NO information out there, so this is all virgin territory. I hope to include photo examples in the future to better illustrate what I am talking about in the identifications below. The "type" refernces are my own to track these features on charts that I have.
TYPE I original patent-style two-holer stinger, 1 long, c1932-33, concave bit.
TYPE II C and D cuts, two-holer w/one angled, 1-1/8 long, c1934-37?, concave bit.
In the photo below, provided to me by David Bridges, you can see the TYPE II on the right, compared to the TYPE III.
TYPE III C cuts (2), two-holer w/one angled, 1 and 1-1/8 long, c1938-42?, concave bit. (Seems to appear in 1941 ad, and maybe as early as October 1938 in a newspaper ad).
Dr. Grabow ad from Chicago newspaper, October 1938:
Dr. Grabow ad from LIFE magazine, October 13th, 1941:
TYPE IIIa Ball and ridges aluminum cleaner, c19xx?, concave bit. I'm not sure where these fit in, but they appear on two earlier Linkman Dr. Grabows that I acquired from different sources. These are the only two that I have seen like this so far.
TYPE IV Yellow (or white?) wood or plastic type stinger (matches band, if equipped), two angled cuts, 7/8 long, Ό fat, c1942-44?, concave bit. These might have even been used until around 1945 as ads actually showing metal fitments again appeared then. Ads in 1946 specifically mention, "All Dr. Grabow Pre-Smoked pipes are equipped with precision aluminum fittings."
This cleaners were very susceptible to breaking at the joint. Also, not being metal, there effectiveness as a condenser is questionable . . .
. . . and as a result, I find most of the pipes from this era without them. Finding them intact is a rarity!
TYPE V Yellow wood or plastic type stinger (matches band), round with single small hole in end, Ύ long, 3/16 fat, c1942-44?, concave bit. Not sure if this design preceded TYPE IV above or not. Have only found one like it, although like I mentioned, many of these cleaners were removed. If any design DIDN'T WORK, my experience with this one says THIS is it!
TYPE VI C cuts (2), ONE-holer, 1 and 1-1/16 long, c1945 to 1950?, flat bit. Maybe some variations to machining depending on when pipe was made and who might have supplied the aluminum fittings (another mystery!).
THE INFORMATION BELOW IS STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION!!!
Please be patient as I find the time to update it and add photo examples.
TYPE G2 -- C& ½ cut, one elongated hole, very FAT stinger as used on Dr. Crapo VPS pipes, 15/16 to 1 long, 3/16 thick, c1955?
TYPE G3 Short C& ½ cut, one elongated hole, cast one-piece with threads, non-Ajusto, 15/16 long, c1950-55?, flat bit w/big edges.
TYPE A1 Short C& ½ cut, one elongated hole, cast one-piece with threads AJUSTOMATIC, 7/8 long, c1956?
TYPE A2 Very short removable C&Ό cut somewhat like Durango stinger, no spline, 11/16 long, c1957?
TYPE A3 Short C cut, round blunt end.
TYPE F1 Fat rolling pin metal stinger with long groove, 1-1/16 long, c19xx.
TYPE H1 Hollycourt metal tube type insert peculiar to these pipes, c1942 or earlier?
c/R original cut off or missing when received, replaced by RJM.
Thanks to my friend and fellow Dr. Grabow enthusiast, Tom Martin, I present a link to some early work on the CLEANER / STINGER information. Tom has a passion for the Dr. Grabow pipe as David and I do and really proved his value as a colleague when he assembled not only some rambling commentary from emails and notes I had, but expertly included the photos as well on a nice web page. It was done along time ago and needs some updating, but it still may prove quite interesting! Please click on the link below!
