1978 Viking Z90 and Imperial Clam Shell Case

skins

skins

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1978?? Viking Z90 and Imperial Clam Shell Case

i'm selling this 1978 Viking Z90 rosewood cue for a friend of mine. he is the only owner and it's been sitting in his closet since 1980. the butt (15.5 oz.) is in 95% condition, almost like new and rolls perfect. the only thing that would seem to keep this butt from being above that is it has what looks like fine swirled sand paper scratches on the collar between the forearm and wrap. the shaft wood just above it's collar (not on the collar) seems to have the same. both are minor and imo would not even be an issue but i always mention everything when it's my name on a sale. my friend said the cue has NEVER been touched so these must be from final finishing at Viking Cue. the shaft (4.4 oz.) has what looks like a small crack in the ferrule under the tip (original tip) and also has a slight warp roll (the tip does not come off the table when rolled). the shaft, other than described, is in excellent shape as well. though the shaft is slightly warped the cue rolls true with no "flutter" when assembled and rolled together and would not affect play at all. this cue was not used much.

he's also including the Imperial clam shell "coffin" style case modeled after those originally made by Brunswick that he bought with the cue. the case is in very nice shape. the metal hardware shows normal oxidation but the outside and inside are exceptional.

the third edition of the blue book marks the cue at $415 in 90% condition. i think this cue deserves that rating. it also states the use of brown pearlized plastic where as this one has purple pearlized plastic which i'm told was one of a few colors used.

you don't see cues like this....i think $200 plus shipping is fair for this very nice old cue and case....if not sold quick its going back in the closet........

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The reason this cue has Purple Pearl and a Purple wrap is because it is a A100 made in 1983 and not a Z90 made in 1978.

I am not trying to knock your sale in any way but even the Diamonds in the pictured cue are not like the older Scalloped Diamonds, the one in the later model are rounded like yours. Also, the wood in the cue pictured looks like Macasar Ebony ( Brown striped )not Rose wood.

Oh and by the way since you referenced the Blue Book, the the prices are also quite different.

Hope this helps, again I am not trying to knock your sale, I am only trying to correct the information.

Check out the page 842 in the Blue Book.
 
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manwon said:
The reason this cue has Purple Pearl and a Purple wrap is because it is a A100 made in 1983 and not a Z90 made in 1978.

I am not trying to knock your sale in any way but even the Diamonds in the pictured cue are not like the older Scalloped Diamonds, the one in the later model are rounded like yours. Also, the wood in the cue pictured looks like Macasar Ebony ( Brown striped )not Rose wood.

Oh and by the way since you referenced the Blue Book, the the prices are also quite different.

Hope this helps, again I am not trying to knock your sale, I am only trying to correct the information.

Check out the page 842 in the Blue Book.
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Craig, the cues that were made after 1980 all show an ebony base. this cue has a Rosewood base and that's why i believe it's what it is......i was told when the cue was purchased, have no reason to doubt them, and all research points to a Z90......i notice the difference between the diamonds but don't know if that's a deal breaker........

for the meantime this cue is being pulled from the for sale section until i can confirm the model number...............
 
skins said:
Craig, the cues that were made after 1980 all show an ebony base. this cue has a Rosewood base and that's why i believe it's what it is......i was told when the cue was purchased, have no reason to doubt them, and all research points to a Z90......i notice the difference between the diamonds but don't know if that's a deal breaker........

for the meantime this cue is being pulled from the for sale section until i can confirm the model number...............
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I am sorry for jumping into your thread, but I think you would not want to list the cue incorrectly. I am pretty sure you will find that the twin screw joint, the Diamonds that are rounded, and the color of the wrap and the pearl will help you date it. Jayman, here on this forum is a very big Viking Collector he may be able to help.

I hope there is no hard feelings, I was truly just trying to help out.

Have a good night!!
 
That is Viking's 'Super Joint' that they started using in the '60's and I believe you can still order it as an option on some of their cues.
Real nice looking older Viking at what seems a reasonable price.
 
nice cue

Either way, looks like a nice collector,s item. Price always depends on what someone is willing to pay, although blue book is a good guide.
 
just an update.....

i'm in the process of corresponding with Viking about this cue. very nice people over there! we've cleared up the fact that it is a rosewood cue and the stainless super joint is correct for my time period......more to come.........
 
Final Update

well after extensive conversation with Viking cues and the owner of the cue we have definite confusion. with the gracious help of Jeff from Viking, he was able to talk to Barry Hart, one of the owners of Viking cues. his thoughts from his memory coupled with scanning their own catalogs confirmed that the cue is rosewood, they think east indian rosewood, and made him think that the wider notch in the diamonds that are in the cue in question were manufactured stating with the "A" line of cues that started in 1983 which would correspond with Craig's (Manwon) thoughts but as i was told he could not be 100% sure since so much time had passed.......now talking more with my friend and owner of the cue John Kaleel, who i grilled intensely once again, renewed some time tables that he KNEW he had the cue at these specific times....here ya' go: 1. he said he was a philosophy teacher from 1976 to 1980 and bought the cue during this time from a billiards supply store as he remembers "on Cicero Ave. in a south suburbs of Chicago somewhere around Tinley Park". well the only store i knew of was Dixie Billiards on Cicero Ave. just north of 159th street in Oak Forest (been there since 1970) and he said that sounded right. 2. he remembers playing with the cue during his teaching career with his friend Charles "Doug" Jensen from Waconda Illinois and his girlfriend at the time whom became his wife who incidentally was a womans US pool champion around that time he says ( anyone with any info on these names would help allot) 3. he remembers playing pool with this his only cue at the time the Iran hostages were taken in 1979. 3. John remembers the story of coming home from teaching on the bus one day with the cue in hand as he would stop off from time to time to play at a as he described "pretty huge pool hall". well one day cue in hand he remembers, as he called it, a little Filipino gentlemen dressed in what appeared to be a jockstrap diaper thing and an American flag draped over him who was listening to a radio broadcast of the Olympic games. where the significance comes into play is that he remembers that this guy would run all over the bus every time the USA would score a goal or make a great play against the Soviet Union hockey team! well the only time this happened was in Feb of 1980 winter Olympic Games which would corroborate his dates of the cue further.......the things i know after extensive research are that even Viking can't be 100% sure of the date of this cue and with the first hand info from John Kaleel, i have to just put the cue out there and let it be what it seems only god knows. with all the info i have i've decided to listen to offers.......thanks for stirring the pot Craig.....i mean that in a loving way...:wink:

if anyone has any interest in cue and would rather talk in over the phone pm your phone number and a good time to call (cont US numbers only). sorry for all the confusion....

skins ------------ it's been very interesting to say the least........
 
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skins said:
well after extensive conversation with Viking cues and the owner of the cue we have definite confusion. with the gracious help of Jeff from Viking, he was able to talk to Barry Hart, one of the owners of Viking cues. his thoughts from his memory coupled with scanning their own catalogs confirmed that the cue is rosewood, they think east indian rosewood, and made him think that the wider notch in the diamonds that are in the cue in question were manufactured stating with the "A" line of cues that started in 1983 which would correspond with Craig's (Manwon) thoughts but as i was told he could not be 100% sure since so much time had passed.......now talking more with my friend and owner of the cue John Kaleel, who i grilled intensely once again, renewed some time tables that he KNEW he had the cue at these specific times....here ya' go: 1. he said he was a philosophy teacher from 1976 to 1980 and bought the cue during this time from a billiards supply store as he remembers "on Cicero Ave. in a south suburbs of Chicago somewhere around Tinley Park". well the only store i knew of was Dixie Billiards on Cicero Ave. just north of 159th street in Oak Forest (been there since 1970) and he said that sounded right. 2. he remembers playing with the cue during his teaching career with his friend Charles "Doug" Jensen from Waconda Illinois and his girlfriend at the time whom became his wife who incidentally was a womans US pool champion around that time he says ( anyone with any info on these names would help allot) 3. he remembers playing pool with this his only cue at the time the Iran hostages were taken in 1979. 3. John remembers the story of coming home from teaching on the bus one day with the cue in hand as he would stop off from time to time to play at a as he described "pretty huge pool hall". well one day cue in hand he remembers, as he called it, a little Filipino gentlemen dressed in what appeared to be a jockstrap diaper thing and an American flag draped over him who was listening to a radio broadcast of the Olympic games. where the significance comes into play is that he remembers that this guy would run all over the bus every time the USA would score a goal or make a great play against the Soviet Union hockey team! well the only time this happened was in Feb of 1980 winter Olympic Games which would corroborate his dates of the cue further.......the things i know after extensive research are that even Viking can't be 100% sure of the date of this cue and with the first hand info from John Kaleel, i have to just put the cue out there and let it be what it seems only god knows. with all the info i have i've decided to keep the price the same for the package at $400 but am not against listening to offers.......thanks for stirring the pot Craig.....i mean that in a loving way...:wink:

if anyone has any interest in cue and would rather talk in over the phone pm your phone number and a good time to call (cont US numbers only). sorry for all the confusion....

skins ------------ it's been very interesting to say the least........
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Welcome to the wonderful world of selling old cues!

Chris
 
skins said:
well after extensive conversation with Viking cues and the owner of the cue we have definite confusion. with the gracious help of Jeff from Viking, he was able to talk to Barry Hart, one of the owners of Viking cues. his thoughts from his memory coupled with scanning their own catalogs confirmed that the cue is rosewood, they think east indian rosewood, and made him think that the wider notch in the diamonds that are in the cue in question were manufactured stating with the "A" line of cues that started in 1983 which would correspond with Craig's (Manwon) thoughts but as i was told he could not be 100% sure since so much time had passed.......now talking more with my friend and owner of the cue John Kaleel, who i grilled intensely once again, renewed some time tables that he KNEW he had the cue at these specific times....here ya' go: 1. he said he was a philosophy teacher from 1976 to 1980 and bought the cue during this time from a billiards supply store as he remembers "on Cicero Ave. in a south suburbs of Chicago somewhere around Tinley Park". well the only store i knew of was Dixie Billiards on Cicero Ave. just north of 159th street in Oak Forest (been there since 1970) and he said that sounded right. 2. he remembers playing with the cue during his teaching career with his friend Charles "Doug" Jensen from Waconda Illinois and his girlfriend at the time whom became his wife who incidentally was a womans US pool champion around that time he says ( anyone with any info on these names would help allot) 3. he remembers playing pool with this his only cue at the time the Iran hostages were taken in 1979. 3. John remembers the story of coming home from teaching on the bus one day with the cue in hand as he would stop off from time to time to play at a as he described "pretty huge pool hall". well one day cue in hand he remembers, as he called it, a little Filipino gentlemen dressed in what appeared to be a jockstrap diaper thing and an American flag draped over him who was listening to a radio broadcast of the Olympic games. where the significance comes into play is that he remembers that this guy would run all over the bus every time the USA would score a goal or make a great play against the Soviet Union hockey team! well the only time this happened was in Feb of 1980 winter Olympic Games which would corroborate his dates of the cue further.......the things i know after extensive research are that even Viking can't be 100% sure of the date of this cue and with the first hand info from John Kaleel, i have to just put the cue out there and let it be what it seems only god knows. with all the info i have i've decided to keep the price the same for the package at $400 but am not against listening to offers.......thanks for stirring the pot Craig.....i mean that in a loving way...:wink:

if anyone has any interest in cue and would rather talk in over the phone pm your phone number and a good time to call (cont US numbers only). sorry for all the confusion....

skins ------------ it's been very interesting to say the least........
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thanks for stirring the pot Craig.....i mean that in a loving way...:wink:

That was never my intention, only to help get the correct information out there. I know you are an honest guy, and that you would not want it any other way. I have customers come into my store every day and ask me about cues. Many also have purchased the cues new many years ago, but also in many cases all the years fog the memory, and the dates they say they bought them doesn't match the known facts.

Take care!! and good luck with your sale!!!
 
1978 Viking Z90 ???

In my 1981 Viking catalog it is a B100 with a retail price of $100. My next catalog ( undated) shows it as a C170 unpriced and my 1990 Viking catalog shows it as a N160 with retail price of $160. Believe cue to be as stated. 1981 Viking catalog states " Plus many Viking options. Seven kinds of joints. Any weight and millimeter you like. Wide selection of colors and inlay materials". By the way each catalog showed a different pearl color.1981 gold, next was undated purple, and then 1990 bronze. Hope info to be helpfull to this thread.
 
hotrod said:
In my 1981 Viking catalog it is a B100 with a retail price of $100. My next catalog ( undated) shows it as a C170 unpriced and my 1990 Viking catalog shows it as a N160 with retail price of $160. Believe cue to be as stated. 1981 Viking catalog states " Plus many Viking options. Seven kinds of joints. Any weight and millimeter you like. Wide selection of colors and inlay materials". By the way each catalog showed a different pearl color.1981 gold, next was undated purple, and then 1990 bronze. Hope info to be helpfull to this thread.
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as i've stated the time table and information on memory from Viking make this a hard cue to date exactly but since i have no reason to doubt my friends memory because of the numerous stories which involve history related events to corroborate the time he had the cue it just becomes more and more a mystery.

the only other thing i didn't mention that could help is the this cue has no finish per say. i'm not sure what kind of finish was used over the years but this looks like the cue was turned down to final size and then hand rubbed with an light oil finish or something similar. you can see the wood pores still. it was barley used so i know this is the original finish. i don't know if this could help date the cue further.

i've decided to take offers for it..........
 
i was on the road in salt lake city in 88 and i got into a game and needed a cue I had was horrible, a guy loaned ma a cue like in the 1st post except it was orange, it was one of thebest hitting cues i played with, he wouldnt sell it, i think i won that night or broke even,
 
Fatboy said:
i was on the road in salt lake city in 88 and i got into a game and needed a cue I had was horrible, a guy loaned ma a cue like in the 1st post except it was orange, it was one of thebest hitting cues i played with, he wouldnt sell it, i think i won that night or broke even,
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i haven't really hit with the cue because of the ferrule but the light hitting i've done tells me this cue is solid!.........

my friend said "sell it" so i'm dropping the price....i think $200 plus shipping is fair for this very nice old cue and case....if not sold quick its going back in the closet........
 
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