As a young pool player much of my learning is attributed to my step father, (George Azbill) Deceased, he had many cues but here is the story of a unique cue. I have pics somewhere that I will try to post but not on this computer. So the story goes George ordered (thru the Golden Eight Ball in Phx) the cue and paid $150 for it then, sold it for $250 then bought it back for $200 So in the end he had $100 invested in the cue, it had fishing line installed for the wrap at the time of the buy back, he had it rewrapped with White / green speck linen. Here is the interesting part the cue is a merry widow, maple forearm, standard rings and 2 shafts and plays better than any cue I have ever played with, maybe the nostalgia makes it feel that way or it just plays that well who knows. Here is what I can't confirm, supposedly 5 of these cues were ever made 3 of which went to Japan, 1 Nick Varner got and 1 George had. It was inherited by an immediate family member of his, when he passed. Has anyone ever heard about the possibility of just 5 of these cues (Merry Widow) being made or has anyone seen one or is that part of the story just conjecture. Any add to this story would be interesting to me I'm sure many guys here know Nick Varner, a very good player but I don't know him maybe he can shed some light on the story. Anyways if the story is accurate, I'm sure the cue is worth a mint if the story all bullshit the cue is worth a mint. I am confident it is an actual Gus Szamboti Cue. Just curious if anyone can add to or shoot down any of this narrative. I'm not sure if it was Varner or Rempe that supposedly has one of the five. Hell I don't know how close my story is to reality, I've inquired before and I did correspond with Barry years ago and he said he remembered something of some merry widow cues but would need the cue and I don't remember the fee but it was something so with it actually being my Stepdads cue it never got sent in for that authentication. I found a picture of it I have others that show calipers with measurements etc. I just gotta find them from left to right. AE I think, SW, SW, Zsamboti, Bludworth, McDermott. I'll look for more and better pics
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