Unique Runde Schon R-12 Variant Cue with original shafts

manwon

manwon

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Here is a cue that I recently picked up, I am not currently a collector but this cue may change that. The cue was made between 1983-1985 when Schon cues first started the production of the R-Series and it is in no catalog. During the early years of Schon production Mr. Runde it appears made a number of cues that may have been proto-types that were never taken into production or they were built as 1 of 1 customs. This cue perfectly qualifies for this label because no one appears to have seen another like it, and it doesn't appear in any Schon catalog from the Era or since. The closest design to this cue is the R-12, and this cue has many of the characteristics of this model to include the stitched rings at the joint, and above and below the cue wrap. The cues butt is dead straight when spun between centers on my lathe. The cues shafts are also in great condition, one has a very small taper roll, and the other is dead straight, both shafts have the standard stitch rings and Westinghouse Yellow Macarta Ferrules which were standard when this cue was built.

Thanks for your post Matt
Here are the photo's let me know what you everyone thinks, and if anyone has ever seen this model please let me know what information you have.

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Again if anyone has any information concerning this cue please post it, thanks Craig.
 
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Probably a one off

I have seen one close to, but not exactly like that. You are right it is probably a one off. I was told that before Runde started producing set models, such as the R12, he would experiment with different combinations and take them around the midwest to sell.

These cues are great players and are still relatively affordable for someone to start collecting them. I would like to add a few more.

Thanks for posting the pics.
 
There were a lot of Runde variation and one-of-a-kind cues I've seen. I haven't seen another like this one either Craig. It's unusual to find a Schon with a birdseye forearm and points that aren't strained to contrast.

I think this cue it was made a little later because the diamond inlays look like they were cut on a pantograph which started around 1987 from what I can figure out. Do they have rounded edges or is that just the photograph? The earlier R-12's has sharper inlaid diamonds.

The red and black veneers were a Schon favorite at that time. It looks like an excellent cue and is very good looking. Great find. I see you agree that these early Schons were and are pretty much state of the art cue crafting.

Chris
 
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Nice

Great pick up Craig. Very nice cue and like Tate said the maple pointed cues are a rarity.

I gotta get in there to see this cue.
 
TATE said:
There were a lot of Runde variation and one-of-a-kind cues I've seen. I haven't seen another like this one either Craig. It's unusual to find a Schon with a birdseye forearm and points that aren't strained to contrast.

I think this cue it was made a little later because the diamond inlays look like they were cut on a pantograph which started around 1987 from what I can figure out. Do they have rounded edges or is that just the photograph? The earlier R-12's has sharper inlaid diamonds.

The red and black veneers were a Schon favorite at that time. It looks like an excellent cue and is very good looking. Great find. I see you agree that these early Schons were and are pretty much state of the art cue crafting.

Chris
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Chris, it is hard to tell from the photo's but, the box's in the cues butt and the cues points are not Mitered. The diamonds do appear to be made using a pantograph, and yes they have rounded corners. But, pantograph's have been in use by cue makers all the way back to the 1950's if not earlier. The diamonds are also not perfect, which makes them look like a less than perfect technique was used to cut the pockets. The forearm and the butt assembly are Birdseye maple and the points on this cue are perfectly even, and untouched. Many older and some newer Schon cues I have seen have points that were reworked to make the points even. Many times this was done with a fine tip permanent maker to make the points sharp and even.

I remember one Schon cue I was doing a refinish on, I did not look real close before I started and I just started removing the cues finish, all of a sudden the tip of one of the point disappeared, all I could say was WTF!!:eek: Well I contacted the cues owner and told him what happened because while I could fix it I wanted him to know, and I wanted to show him another point that was also doctored on the cue.

Thanks for you input Chris, I also think this is an interesting cue for many reasons, I am going to contact Runde and see if he can remember anything about this cue, I doubt it but who knows.
 
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This sure is a fantastic example of the R series here! Great pick-up! Thanks for sharing:thumbup2:
 
Great find Craig....beautiful cue & definately a keeper. Love the stitch ring Schons & no doubt it hits superb with the true Micarta ferrules.:smile: One of the best players ever from this area, J-Bird, played with a very similar but not exact cue. You can spot those ferrules from across the room.
 
That's a really nice one !! Somewhere I've got a few other images of unique cues from this vintage that we've had. It's nice to see unusual stuff like this come out of the woodwork.
 
Thanks for everyones comments, I appreciate them and for those who have sent private PM's the cue is not for sale.

Thanks everyone
 
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Schon Cue

He is not selling and it looks like we have a new Runde era collector to compete with. Glad to see you found it and like it :smile:

Matt
 
Schon

I was just at Craig's billiard room and saw the Schon. Craig gave me a great education on the R and S series. The cue Craig has is beautiful and hits a ton also. My first hit with a Schon, very nice vintage cue. Thanks for sharing Craig
Randy
 
rdwell said:
I was just at Craig's billiard room and saw the Schon. Craig gave me a great education on the R and S series. The cue Craig has is beautiful and hits a ton also. My first hit with a Schon, very nice vintage cue. Thanks for sharing Craig
Randy
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I was there at the same time. Great looking cue. A keeper for sure. Rod.
 
schon r-12

I want to retract my post. I was told by five experts that I had a Schon r-12. I posted that I had one. I also posted that I didn't know much about it. I got a message from Ryan Fears stating that he was personal close friends with Mr. Runde and he knew it was not a r-12. I don't know why so many people would lie to me. I wish to retract my post as I don't know who to believe.
 
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Did Runde ever make any left handed cues?

My friend has been looking for one forever!
He finally got his left handed Kamui Glove, now all he needs is a Left Handed Cue.
 
Just to clarify something Chris T. said, the cue having diamonds with rounded inlays does not mean that is was made "later". The diamonds are inlaid into maple. If they were inlaid into ebony like the majority of cues from Bob were they would have been sharp corners and corner reliefs would have been milled in the pockets to accommodate the corners of the inlay. He didn't do that in light wood because that would have meant hand knifing in the corners of each pocket so you wouldn't see any glue reliefs... That's why those inlays in this cue are rounded. I would think this cue was made between 83 and 85 best guess...
 
skins said:
Just to clarify something Chris T. said, the cue having diamonds with rounded inlays does not mean that is was made "later". The diamonds are inlaid into maple. If they were inlaid into ebony like the majority of cues from Bob were they would have been sharp corners and corner reliefs would have been milled in the pockets to accommodate the corners of the inlay. He didn't do that in light wood because that would have meant hand knifing in the corners of each pocket so you wouldn't see any glue reliefs... That's why those inlays in this cue are rounded. I would think this cue was made between 83 and 85 best guess...
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Does anyone know what year Schon switched from the brown joint stitch rings to the black joint stitch rings? And what year they switched to the silver ring from the stitch rings. Those two dates would help narrow dates for cues a little.
 
cueman said:
Does anyone know what year Schon switched from the brown joint stitch rings to the black joint stitch rings? And what year they switched to the silver ring from the stitch rings. Those two dates would help narrow dates for cues a little.
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The brown collars were only done the first year so 81' to maybe very early 82'. I believe silver became the standard ring right around 87'/ early 88'. I remember ordering new shafts for an R14 I had in what I think was early 88' and they told me the standard ring was now silver but they would match my shafts dashed maple and colored trim rings at no extra charge which they did...
 
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