The military stem, also known as the army mount and military bit, was indeed designed to decrease the risk of soldiers breaking either the stem, or worse, the shank, of their pipes. there seems to be quite a lot of confusion about whether it was developed during the British Empires occupation of India, where soldiers stuck their pipes in there belts while marching, or while mounted as cavalry, in which case one could very easily snap the shank or stem while mounting, dismounting, or at a gallop. Some contend it was developed during World War 1, so troops in the trenches could quickly break their pipe down in order to go 'over the top', or while taking cover from incoming, and reassemble while still hot without causing a loose fit. I can only assume that someone much more educated in pipe lore could probably jump in and let us know. Rad? Mabey the D P G?
Bd
Never Forget!