Need Help Identifying Vintage Custom Cue – Brass Cobra Inlay, Graduated Diamond Inlays & Unusual Piloted Joint

[11Cues]

I recently acquired this older custom cue from the family of the original owner and am hoping to identify the maker.

The original owner reportedly had the cue before meeting his wife, so it likely dates back several decades, but unfortunately there is very little provenance beyond that.

Specifications:

• Overall length: 60.5”
• Weight: 18.8 oz
• Butt: 13.7 oz
• Shaft: 5.2 oz
• Joint diameter: .84”
• Shaft collar: .83”
• Pin diameter: approximately .30”
• Brass pilot: .54” diameter × .42” long
• Ferrule: 13 mm
• Balance point: 22” from the bumper

A few features really stand out to me:

• Large engraved brass cobra inlay in the forearm.
• Graduated dark hardwood diamond inlays with contrasting light wood cross accents.
• Stainless joint collar with a large brass piloted joint.
• Figured exotic wood accent rings, possibly snakewood.
• Dark figured hardwood butt sleeve.

One interesting observation is that the shaft threads perfectly onto a later Rich cue that I own. The thread appears to be the same, but the Rich uses a larger pilot diameter (.61” versus .54” on this cue), so while the threads appear compatible, the joint construction is not identical.

I’m also curious whether the dark diamond inlays are made from the same wood as the butt sleeve, and whether the lighter cross accents are the same material used in the thin accent rings. The figured ring material also makes me wonder if it may be snakewood, although I’m certainly open to correction on any of the wood identifications.

Does anyone recognize the cobra motif, the inlay pattern, the joint construction, or any of these design elements that might point to the builder? I’d appreciate any thoughts on the maker, era, or region where it may have originated.

Thanks in advance for any insight!

 

[measureman]

Doesn't look like a "custom cue"
Looks like a cheap Asian import cue with no real value.

 

[Cuebuddy]

It would have a place in my collection.
I have been collecting odds and ends for many years.
Not much interest in high end cues.
Joint and bumper are interesting.

 

[garczar]

Home-made project or cheap asian cue. BTW, its nice to know we serve a purpose for this guy, he's been on here all of a month and every post is a cue eval. Hope he's throwin Mike some $$$$ when he flips all these.

 

[11Cues]

Haha… fair observation. Guilty as charged, at least in part.

Some of the cues I acquire eventually do get sold after they’re documented, while others find a permanent home in my own collection. The research is honestly one of the parts I enjoy most.

I’ve found that I’m especially drawn to obscure cues that don’t have an obvious identity but have interesting construction, unusual features, or a story waiting to be uncovered. To be sure, I’ve also acquired my fair share of complete flops along the way, but that’s part of the fun too.

Whether a cue ultimately turns out to be custom, production, homemade, or an import doesn’t really matter to me. I’m just trying to learn what it is and preserve as much accurate information as I can before it eventually moves on to its next owner—or finds a permanent home in my display case.

This forum has an incredible amount of collective knowledge, and I genuinely appreciate everyone willing to share their expertise and help broaden my own.

With all of that being said… I suppose I’d better go post my third mystery cue of the day. I wouldn’t want anyone getting bored.

 

[Cuebuddy]

Post away! Let’s seeum

 

[Chopdoc]

Interesting construction. Not our usual "cheap cue".

Those rings are not cheap plastic, they are some kind of phenolic.

Huge brass pilot.

Wood butt cap.

I have seen a bumper like that before, but it is not in my records. I made a big study of bumpers some years ago.

It's an interesting cue, I will say that.

Inexpensive, likely Asian, more of a curio I think.

 

[Chopdoc]

Haha… fair observation. Guilty as charged, at least in part.

Some of the cues I acquire eventually do get sold after they’re documented, while others find a permanent home in my own collection. The research is honestly one of the parts I enjoy most.

I’ve found that I’m especially drawn to obscure cues that don’t have an obvious identity but have interesting construction, unusual features, or a story waiting to be uncovered. To be sure, I’ve also acquired my fair share of complete flops along the way, but that’s part of the fun too.

Whether a cue ultimately turns out to be custom, production, homemade, or an import doesn’t really matter to me. I’m just trying to learn what it is and preserve as much accurate information as I can before it eventually moves on to its next owner—or finds a permanent home in my display case.

This forum has an incredible amount of collective knowledge, and I genuinely appreciate everyone willing to share their expertise and help broaden my own.

With all of that being said… I suppose I’d better go post my third mystery cue of the day. I wouldn’t want anyone getting bored.

I have eclectic tastes as well.

I do own some odd balls. Nomina obscura is what I call them.

It would not be surprising to find that cue in my collection.

We play nice as long as you play nice.

Remember:

Yes folks, that is actually me.