Really great, interesting post. I'm voting that your pipe is a classic from all you've said. Very interesting indeed.
My dad was a pipe smoker. Still remember very vividly the smell and taste of the tobacco's he used. Such a rich, nice aroma around the house. Especially when compared to a cigarette. I still have a couple of his pipes. No Meerschaum's, but a really cool carved bull, that he said was 'hotter'n hell to smoke', so it just sat on the shelf. Thanks for sharing your hobby with us on here.