I’m hoping some of the Brunswick collectors here can help identify and date an unusual two-piece Brunswick configuration.
I recently acquired two apparently matching vintage Brunswick cues that surfaced independently from widely separated geographical locations. After getting both of them in hand and comparing them side-by-side, they appear to be two examples of the same basic Brunswick design, with some normal production variation between them.
For simplicity, I’ll refer to the better-preserved cue shown on the left as Example 1, and the cue shown on the right as Example 2.
Both are wrapless four-point full-splice cues with the same general veneer pattern, brass piloted joint construction, black/pearl/black joint rings, the same style bumper, and identical Brunswick treatments on opposing sides of the butt. I’ve intentionally presented them reversed in the photos so both treatments can be seen together.
The veneer colors initially appeared somewhat different, but under the same lighting it is apparent that they use essentially the same veneer combination, with Example 1 simply retaining stronger original coloration.
I’ve attached a side-by-side specification comparison image showing the dimensions and construction details of both examples.
Example 1 retains what appears to be its original shaft and matching joint-ring treatment. The shaft on Example 2 appears to be a later replacement; its ring work is similar in concept, but does not match the butt-side ring stack exactly in material or execution.
The shaft from Example 1 threads fully onto and seats properly against the butt of Example 2, further confirming that the two use the same basic joint specification.
One particularly interesting difference is the axial bore. Example 1 has a .65” ID bore approximately 1 1/2” deep, while Example 2 has a .60” ID bore extending approximately 11 5/8” into the butt. One possibility is that the varying bore depth was associated with weight regulation of individual full-splice blanks, although I have no documentation confirming that.
The longitudinal BRUNSWICK marking reads from the joint toward the butt.
For comparison, I also own Brunswick Personal cues from 1969 and 1970. The similarities are evident, but these are simply an altogether different construction, particularly in the joint architecture and overall build. The veneer stacks also present differently from the Personal cues in my possession, which use a noticeably brighter and different veneer treatment than the more traditional stack seen on these two examples.
I’ve included side-by-side photographs of the complete cues, points and veneers, joint assemblies, pearl ring stacks, butt treatments, bumpers, and bores.
What I’m primarily trying to determine is:
Does anyone recognize this exact Brunswick configuration, and can anyone place it in a catalog or production period?
The construction appears to combine traditional Brunswick full-splice/Titlist-family construction and substantial old-style brass joint hardware with pearlized joint trim and the crowned-B treatment. I’ve wondered whether these could fall somewhere in Brunswick’s late transitional period before the Personal series, but I would much rather see period documentation or hear from anyone who has encountered another example than try to assign a date based solely on appearance.
Any catalog scans, dealer literature, photographs of another example, or information on when Brunswick used this particular combination of joint, pearl rings, branding, and butt treatment would be greatly appreciated.
I recently acquired two apparently matching vintage Brunswick cues that surfaced independently from widely separated geographical locations. After getting both of them in hand and comparing them side-by-side, they appear to be two examples of the same basic Brunswick design, with some normal production variation between them.
For simplicity, I’ll refer to the better-preserved cue shown on the left as Example 1, and the cue shown on the right as Example 2.
Both are wrapless four-point full-splice cues with the same general veneer pattern, brass piloted joint construction, black/pearl/black joint rings, the same style bumper, and identical Brunswick treatments on opposing sides of the butt. I’ve intentionally presented them reversed in the photos so both treatments can be seen together.
The veneer colors initially appeared somewhat different, but under the same lighting it is apparent that they use essentially the same veneer combination, with Example 1 simply retaining stronger original coloration.
I’ve attached a side-by-side specification comparison image showing the dimensions and construction details of both examples.
Example 1 retains what appears to be its original shaft and matching joint-ring treatment. The shaft on Example 2 appears to be a later replacement; its ring work is similar in concept, but does not match the butt-side ring stack exactly in material or execution.
The shaft from Example 1 threads fully onto and seats properly against the butt of Example 2, further confirming that the two use the same basic joint specification.
One particularly interesting difference is the axial bore. Example 1 has a .65” ID bore approximately 1 1/2” deep, while Example 2 has a .60” ID bore extending approximately 11 5/8” into the butt. One possibility is that the varying bore depth was associated with weight regulation of individual full-splice blanks, although I have no documentation confirming that.
The longitudinal BRUNSWICK marking reads from the joint toward the butt.
For comparison, I also own Brunswick Personal cues from 1969 and 1970. The similarities are evident, but these are simply an altogether different construction, particularly in the joint architecture and overall build. The veneer stacks also present differently from the Personal cues in my possession, which use a noticeably brighter and different veneer treatment than the more traditional stack seen on these two examples.
I’ve included side-by-side photographs of the complete cues, points and veneers, joint assemblies, pearl ring stacks, butt treatments, bumpers, and bores.
What I’m primarily trying to determine is:
Does anyone recognize this exact Brunswick configuration, and can anyone place it in a catalog or production period?
The construction appears to combine traditional Brunswick full-splice/Titlist-family construction and substantial old-style brass joint hardware with pearlized joint trim and the crowned-B treatment. I’ve wondered whether these could fall somewhere in Brunswick’s late transitional period before the Personal series, but I would much rather see period documentation or hear from anyone who has encountered another example than try to assign a date based solely on appearance.
Any catalog scans, dealer literature, photographs of another example, or information on when Brunswick used this particular combination of joint, pearl rings, branding, and butt treatment would be greatly appreciated.
