Lange Soldatenpfeife mit Emailbild - Pipe - Porcelain

For sale: an exceptionally well-preserved and historically highly interesting Reservists’ ceremonial pipe (parade pipe) from the time of the German Empire. This is an absolutely authentic collectible with rare personal family history and a clear connection to a Prussian elite cavalry regiment.
Historical data & details:
• Unit: 4th Squadron / 2nd Guard Lancers Regiment (garrisoned in Berlin/Potsdam).
• Soldier’s name: Willy Rieck.
• Service period (engraved on the wooden shaft): 1902 – 1905.
• Special feature (unique piece): The back of the pipe head bears a hand-painted, personal dedication from the soldier to his father: “I congratulate you, dear Father! For your birthday for my dear Father. Berlin 1900.” The motif shows the son in blue lancer uniform and the father clinking in a tavern.
Construction & materials:
• Overall length: impressively about 145–150 cm.
• Pipe head & middle piece: Made of fine porcelain, brightly hand-painted with regimental motifs (Lancer on horseback with a spear) and gold accoutrement. The pipe head has an intact metal lid.
• Shaft & decorations: Openly turned genuine wood shaft with real stag horn rosettes. At the top end there is a relief carved horse head in a horseshoe (typical for cavalry regiments).
• Accessories: Complete, flexible woven hose with the original mouthpiece and the accompanying cords.
Condition:
For its age of over 120 years, the pipe is in an outstanding condition.
• The porcelain elements (head and middle piece) are completely crack-free, with no chips or fissures, and the painting is excellently preserved (apparent cracks in the first photos proved to be mere dust upon closer inspection).
• The wood and horn parts are sturdy and solid.
• The flexible hose shows age-related wear and slight fraying at the upper bend, which does not detract from its authenticity.
A beautiful centerpiece for collectors of Kaiserreich militaria, historic smoking accessories, or Berlin/Potsdam regional history.