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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.

Bottom right picture. https://classiccues.com/cuemakers/balabushka_george_id.html

One thing I can't help but think about, is the typical groove at the bottom of the delrin buttplate left by the Forstner bit that George used to shape the inside of the butt plate. That groove at the outside edge of the inside of the buttplate always built up a little brown residue, likely from...

Not doubting you a bit. If you search though, you will also find some Tang with smaller screw insert assemblies for Balabushka cues as well. My impression is most of them were done that way, but now I wonder how most of his later cues, say 1970 through 1975 were done.

Here are some better pictures of the later Lisciotti Balabushka. Looks like it was on sale way back then for 55K. You may recognize the owner at the time, not sure. https://forums.azbilliards.com/threads/mizeraks-balabushka-including-loas-55k-trade-option.191349/

To me, this is one of the more interesting pictures of one of the cues. If you'd have shown this up front, I probably would have said not necessarily a Balabushka. Reason is, most of them had a metal insert, sometimes called a Tang, where a smaller aluminum screw went into. If nothing else...

Yes, Willie Mosconi's Balabushka went for between 90 and 100 grand on a Hunt auction something like 15 years ago.

Yes, Larry's later cue was the maple windows butt sleeve with ivory arch inlays connecting the windows. If I remember right, Larry and Steve were gambling in Asbury Park, NJ, and Larry ended up winning Steve's cue. No matter, as Steve later on went to have George make what is the famous "Dove"...

Well, had a feeling of that, but your pictures and clues weren't helping. However, since you didn't post a pic of beneath the bumper, it makes sense now. No other maker on the East Coast was quite like that. Larry had another Bushka, probably later. He won it from Steve Mizerak in a...

That's why I asked for pictures underneath the bumper.

This is very similar to Luther Lassiter's cue from the 60s to the 80s, a TAD, not a Bushka. But you say your current cues are East Coast, not West Coast. Too early design for Balabushka, not right for Palmer or Paradise. Not right for Fedunka. Definitely not a Karl Mayer.

I see you've removed the reference to Balabushka with respect to the shafts. If we go back that far to the mid-60s, one maker stands out that is Tad Kohara that did "Bushka" styles way back then. For example, Luther Lassiter played with a Tad cue for decades that people swore was a Bushka.

Well, I'll give you a couple more clues. You are aware that George usually put nickel rings on the outside of the above-wrap ring assembly, rather than just inside the assembly, aren't you? Second clue, neither of these cues have Cortland 9 on them. Very distinctive look very light, bright...

I don't know yet. Not enough good views yet. The descriptions of the screws holding the bumpers are different, and there isn't a good enough view inside, once the bumpers are removed. Could be many makers.

OK, the details are not a letter of authenticity. Both details say the shafts are original Balabushka shafts. How do you know that, or how does the person who wrote the details know that? Not trying to be argumentative, but you did put this up as sort of a challenge to figure out.

The details on the first post. Are they part of a Letter of Authenticity? If so, from whom?

Although you're looking for the name Balabushka, maybe, maybe not. Can you give us the butt length without the bumper? Also, have the cues been restored, as neither wrap looks like original Cortland 9. But most important, can you use the right hex wrench to take the bumpers out and take a...

Yep, both he and Will Prout went out of their way to contact me and discuss cues. Two nicer gentlemen, I can't imagine.

Yep, I talked to Tikkler too. Although he had so many fancy cues, he especially liked a very plain Rambow-looking Scruggs cue of mine complete with brass joint. He saw the beauty in artistic cues, but he could see the genius in well planned plain cues too.

Yes, but there are others if you go back. Classiccues, Will Prout (Ibuycues), Vinnie, Tikkler, JK Marshall, and a bunch of others.