From Wikipedia:
"Synthetics
Venturi pipe of synthetic materials: A variety of other materials may also be used for pipes. The Redmanol corporation manufactured pipes with translucent stems in the 1920s and a series of pipes was manufactured and distributed by the Tar Gard (later Venturi) Corporation of San Francisco from 1965-1975. Marketed under names such as "the pipe," "THE SMOKE" and "Venturi," they used materials such as pyrolytic graphite, phenolic resin, nylon, Bakelite and other synthetics, allowing for higher temperatures in the bowl, reduced tar and aesthetic variations of color and style.[2] After Venturi stopped making pipes, several companies continue to make pipes from Brylon, a composite of nylon and wood flour, as a cheaper substitute for briar."
Judging from the apparent age of the pipe, I'd say what you've probably got is a Brylon pipe. As noted above, it's not plastic per se but a composite of nylon and wood flour. I myself have never smoked one but know lots of folks who have. While your apprehension about smoking this pipe is probably baseless (it's not gonna blow up in your face or melt and is totally smokable) what I have heard about the smoke quality of these things is far from flattering. Every word I've ever heard or read about these synthetic pipes sings the same tune. They heat up very quickly and retain the heat for a long time. The excess heat build up inevitably translates into a fairly poor smoke. I'm not sure how much it will help but I'd say that puff pace (i.e. how hard and fast you puff) would be a huge factor. Very slow sips would be the ticket here. By comparison, I have smoked many a cob in my life and NEVER had a single bad smoke from one.
As for the metal appendage attached to the bit, that is what is commonly referred to as a "stinger". Essentially this thing's purpose in life is to catch goo before your mouth or your tongue do. They do take a bit of getting used to but generally there's no real detrimental effect to the smoking quality of the pipe. I've got a room full of Kaywoodies with stingers and they are without exception the bees knees. Oh and speaking of bit installed devices, when you get your cob pipe step one is to separate the bit from the shank and remove the paper/wax filter. Once you have said filter in your dominant hand, throw that son of a buck as far as you possibly can and never again consider replacing it. This style of filter is a vile abomination indeed and will do NOTHING to improve the quality of your smoke.
