I am sure you can identify these cues (original Balabushka)

Thank you, I have seen that picture but hard to tell what I am looking at either so much dirt in there.
It is a bit hard to see, but there is a groove that is below the portion in which the insert and bolt would go. That's where the residue would built up. I don't think generally dirt, but rather residue from the KU bumper.
 
The Lisciotti is perfect.
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The fancy didn't hold up as well. Looks like the bumper came apart, but someone tried to save it.


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The butt caps on both look pretty much the same to me from what I can see of the insides. The fancy has too much going on that I didn't want to go further.

I got it completely off. Bumper has seen some better days.
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I see what you mean about the bumper on the fancy one. Could use a replacement. If you can't find a KU bumper, I believe most cuemakers and cue repairmen have access to new brown bumpers, which are not a bad replacement.

On the fancy one, I do see the groove on the outer edge of the interior surface. This looks like the more typical Balabushka construction. The Lisciotti one does look different, more like a modern cuemaker would do it, with a standard 3/8X16 weight bolt. At least that's what I see. It would be interesting to know if that was a modification later on, or something else. Both great looking cues.
 
I see what you mean about the bumper on the fancy one. Could use a replacement. If you can't find a KU bumper, I believe most cuemakers and cue repairmen have access to new brown bumpers, which are not a bad replacement.

On the fancy one, I do see the groove on the outer edge of the interior surface. This looks like the more typical Balabushka construction. The Lisciotti one does look different, more like a modern cuemaker would do it, with a standard 3/8X16 weight bolt. At least that's what I see. It would be interesting to know if that was a modification later on, or something else. Both great looking cues.
It looks like the same exact toolmarks, it is probably more of a difference in how I photographed it. I didn't think about how am I going to do a side by side photo. Anyway, these are delicate bumpers so I guess better to not keep taking them apart. I understand why there is masking tape on them. I can imagine when brand new, it was harder to install them.

As for the replacement bumper, looks like the closest I can track down is a 1970s Tascarella that looks like the same thing except the color is a different shade. At least by replacing the bumper, I can be assured that no chemical reaction will take place as the bumper is clearly degrading fast.
 
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