Actors who played Holmes/Watson..were they actual pipers?

[taja-big dog]

Think I saw a picture of Brett off the set and he was holding a pipe.

 

[George Kaplan]

If Brett wasn't before, he probably took up the hobby for authenticity's sake.
He was really into that role.

 

[whitebriar]

i feel they must have been--their handling of the pipe was pretty natural--if someone pretends at being a pipe smoker they usually come across as rather stiff and it just doesn't ring true

 

[monbla256]

Basil Rathbone was for sure. His favorite blend made for him was :   Wilke #515, not Black Shag. It is still available from Carole Burns @ http://www.vtpipes.com.

WILKE No. 515
This is the blend smoked by Basil Rathbone, Wilke's famous No. 515. A blend of ribbon cut Virginias and toasted Black Cavendish, or as the Wilke sisters described it: " exotic tobaccos aged in a rare Jamaica Rum - smooth, mild with a delightful aroma".