Pipe query on behalf of a buddy

[The Munt]

Hey guys. had a cracker of a night at a mates last night. wined, dined and smoked. While i enjoyed a RyJ Mille Fleur he was puffing away on his heirloom pipe. He is a beginner to pipes and his father gave him the pipe he uses:

Hoddle System 1305

what we know is its at least 35 years old and made in france, a google search brings up bugger all apart from a few removed ebay items. We are just trying to ascertain whether its a hunk of junk or a national treasure? Anyone heard of them before?

 

[Shlippy]

While it looks somewhat like a Peterson 305 I don't think it is.

Found absolutely nothing about the name on the web other than one ancient ebay listing. Could have been an exceptionally short-lived pipe maker or line. May be one of only a handful in existence.

Therefore it would appear the pipe is essentially one of a kind and the opinion of your friend as to its quality is the only opinion that really matters

Check out this link for an explanation of the letters on the metal army mount ring:

http://pipes.org/forums/messages/23/85590.html?1322043806

 

[The Munt]

Thanks for the information mate, it's not like he was ever going to sell it as it was passed down. He loves it and he was just curious about it.

Some great info there on the "electroplated" band.

Will have to do the rubber band test to see if its silver or nickel plated.

So the JVF was likely the maker.
It's an interesting piece anyway!