Bert Schrager Classic 6-Point Unsigned Cue.. Seeking Info

[Covelo]

I'm trying to get the rundown on this gorgeous unsigned beauty from Schrager.. that the Universe just 'dropped in my path' recently...

I've read that he started signing his cues starting in '86 & I've seen this same point inlay pattern in some of his later cues.. So I'm wondering when did he first start making these particular inlay style points..and when did he 1st start making 6-point cues.. and is this perhaps a very early version of this point style in a 6-pointer??

Also wondering when he first used these materials for the joints.. And what material are those small circle inlays near the ivory butt end piece??.. they look to me like an animal horn material of some kind...

I've seen quite a bit of talk on Schrager here on these fantabulous forums..so I figured y'all might have something interesting to say about it??... and that you might enjoy some added glimpses into the finely tuned craftsmanship of a masterful cue maker...

 

[middleofnowhere]

What leads you to believe this is a Schrager cue?

 

[Covelo]

What leads you to believe this is a Schrager cue?

The many hours of research I did on it.. and someone who lived and worked with Bert for over 3 years... and another knowledgeable ol' timer on another group as well...and another person who saw it...

According to my research sifting through everything I could find online about Schrager.. I found that he used this exact point inlay design in multiple cues that were of later dates than this..and which were signed by him... Also saw this same setup in his joint materials, same threads, same red shaft ring material...same bumper & screw... All on existing known cues of his that I was browsing) studying...

Is there anything about the design that leads you to think it might not be a Schrager??...

I think I should also mention that it's a carom/billiards cue design with the differently tapered shaft and shorter butt and shaft design...

 

[Covelo]

Here's a later signed Schrager with a perfect match on the points design...

 

[Covelo]

Here's another signed Schrager up on eBay right now with the same points design and joint material &threads ..

 

[Covelo]

Another signed Schrager dated 1989 with the same inlayed point pattern...

 

[Covelo]

Funny.. I thought there'd be lots of chatter on this cue & Bert.. as he's such a legend in the cue making game from what I'm finding.. I kinda expected to see a lot of enthusiasm/interest...
Well, here's a little celebration/honor of him in a vintage short news-footage interview I found doing my own research... Has a short story & interview with him that shows him working on cues in his workshop...

 

[Benelli]

Really feels like the cue you posted first has almost nothing in common with the others.

The first one is much rougher in finish and quality just by judging the photos.

Would love to see a full photo of the butt with good lighting to get a feel for the cue versus the chopped-up photos.

 

[Covelo]

Really feels like the cue you posted first has almost nothing in common with the others.

The first one is much rougher in finish and quality just by judging the photos.

Would love to see a full photo of the butt with good lighting to get a feel for the cue versus the chopped-up photos.

It's older than the others..the finish is old/rough on the tail end section with the ivory but the points area looks to be refinished and actually looks quite sharp & crisp
... but I'll add more pics so it can be seen better

 

[garczar]

Funny.. I thought there'd be lots of chatter on this cue & Bert.. as he's such a legend in the cue making game from what I'm finding.. I kinda expected to see a lot of enthusiasm/interest...
Well, here's a little celebration/honor of him in a vintage short news-footage interview I found doing my own research... Has a short story & interview with him that shows him working on cues in his workshop...

They were almost all on the W.Coast. I've only seen one in my life. It was a nice sneaky. My friend still has it, bought it at Bert's shop.

 

[Covelo]

Really feels like the cue you posted first has almost nothing in common with the others.

The first one is much rougher in finish and quality just by judging the photos.

Would love to see a full photo of the butt with good lighting to get a feel for the cue versus the chopped-up photos.

Here's a couple more images... Check out the points style.. they're a perfect match to one of the other signed Schrager's I put pic of ..

 

[Covelo]

They were almost all on the W.Coast. I've only seen one in my life. It was a nice sneaky. My friend still has it, bought it at Bert's shop.

Cool... I'm on the W Coast.. I heard somewhere that Bert also broke into the Japanese market & sold quite a few there.. I saw a video of a Japanese bro showing off his Schrager.. going on and on in Japanese for several minutes.. looking so proud of it... lol ..I guess they really appreciate fine craftsmanship over there...Makes sense...
I'll post up that vid here if I can find it again..

 

[Black-Balled]

Funny.. I thought there'd be lots of chatter on this cue & Bert.. as he's such a legend in the cue making game from what I'm finding.. I kinda expected to see a lot of enthusiasm/interest...

Eventually more will opine.

Buncha old farts who like to play pool, yuhknow? Azb moves a tad slower than much of the e-world.

 

[PDX]

Here is my old Schrager in the Harvey Martin Style. You will see some similarities between our cues.
Schrager

 

[Covelo]

Here is my old Schrager in the Harvey Martin Style. You will see some similarities between our cues.
Schrager

Sweet.. Same butt end style/set-up.. I wonder when he changed from that kind of bumper & screw setup??...
Do you know when yours was made??...

 

[Covelo]

Everyone might get a kick out of this...
He's drinking and speaking in Japanese showing off his new Schrager.. but he does know how to say "bird's-eye maple"...

Cool... I'm on the W Coast.. I heard somewhere that Bert also broke into the Japanese market & sold quite a few there.. I saw a video of a Japanese bro showing off his Schrager.. going on and on in Japanese for several minutes.. looking so proud of it... lol ..I guess they really appreciate fine craftsmanship over there...Makes sense...
I'll post up that vid here if I can find it again..

 

[PDX]

Sweet.. Same butt end style/set-up.. I wonder when he changed from that kind of bumper & screw setup??...
Do you know when yours was made??...

I don't. I bought it in 2021. Apparently it was a raffle at a local elks back in the early 90's and it was old at that point. I had found an old catalog online that I can't seem to find at the moment, but based on the design it is Bert's homage to Martin. I think it may have been a relatively common model from the 70's.

 

[Covelo]

Nice.. I looked around for that catalog you mentioned.. no luck yet...
Around what number did you pay? Did they know what they had?

I don't. I bought it in 2021. Apparently it was a raffle at a local elks back in the early 90's and it was old at that point. I had found an old catalog online that I can't seem to find at the moment, but based on the design it is Bert's homage to Martin. I think it may have been a relatively common model from the 70's.

 

[PDX]

Nice.. I looked around for that catalog you mentioned.. no luck yet...
Around what number did you pay? Did they know what they had?

I'm still looking online for it.
What did pay? Not enough. Did they know what they had? No. Though I did not know what I had either. I thought it was either a Tad or a Martin. I forgot that Bert and Tad both apprenticed under Martin.

 

[Covelo]

I'm still looking online for it.
What did pay? Not enough. Did they know what they had? No. Though I did not know what I had either. I thought it was either a Tad or a Martin. I forgot that Bert and Tad both apprenticed under Martin.

Nice.. Kinda the same story with this one.. somebody gave their neighbor all their sticks when they moved & the neighbor knew nothing about cues.. & with no name on it..I didn't know what exactly I was looking at either... So I just gave him what he wanted.. knowing it must be a good deal...