Vintage Standing? Smoking Pipe

Hi!,
I'm hoping someone here can help me with this vintage smoking pipe, It has been in my family for ever it seems, but I can't remember who's it was. My grandfather and uncles, smoked.....
But it is large to me anyway standing 2 1/2 inches, the mouthpiece? is 2 1/2 on the curve. the tobacco hole is approx. 1/2 wide.
There is a V in a circle,[ hopefully you can see that in the 1st picture]. And the wood is really super smooth!
I have no clue on what the V means, or what kind of wood it is, if there is a name overall for this pipe.
I smoke cigarettes,{yes, I know its bad) but was thinking about trying pipe smoking, but afraid that if it is old, that maybe not....
Thanks in advance for your help :)
Tina