For those who wish to enhance their persona, Period Correct pipes will include straight or bent stems and bowls of almost any hardwood - briar (of course) and the fruit trees: apple, cherry, even pear. Folks have tried almost any wood, with varying results. Oily woods are to be avoided. Do not overlook the southern favorite, the corncob! Clay pipes, whilst popular with Voyageurs, Rondy-types, and early 1800's taverns, grew out of popular favor after the Civil War. Possibly due to the fragile nature. Meerschaum pipes ( Sea Stone) are a wonderful smoke and highly prized.
Smoking mixtures of the era might be a cavendish, burly, turkish or Virginia tobacco, or any blend. Aromatics like cherry and vanilla ought to be avoided, but whiskey and rum had been used in curing amongst the non-indians for quite a while.
Speaking of our Native Brethren, the so-called Kinnikinnick or 'Bear-berry' was widely smoked by Voyageurs and Native Americans during the Fur-Trade eras . Technically a blend of native herbs ( no wacky weed!) it usually included Bear-berry, tobacco, red willow bark, and others. Native-grown tobacco was usually only air-dried (not fermented or cured) and was often higher in nicotine content.
My Lahkota brothers have taught me Tobacco has always been considered one the the Four Sacred Herbs by Native Americans. An "everyday" smoking mixture and pipe should not be confused with sacred ceremonial Canupa (or Chanupa or Calumet) (pipes made from red pipestone) and the sacred Chansasha tobacco.
Aho Mitakuye Oyasin
Prof Marvel