Black or Szamboti ? Expert Help Needed

Raildriver

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
In the late 70's and early 80's, Black and Szamboti were hard to tell apart because many cues made by both makers were missing signatures and or initials. Too, Black used Szamboti forearms which made it even more difficult to distinguish between the 2 makers. Is there a quick way to tell the differnce when your not sure which maker you are looking at when your looking at a cue from this period? Any insight from the experts would be much abliged. Raildriver:D
 
I think Black used 5/16-18 thread pins & Szam uses 5/16-14. Otherwise, I couldn't even guess.
 
there are alot of things to look for, its easy to tell. Best thing to do is contact Barry Szam if your gonna buy a cue, nothing gets past him.
 
That is the best compliment richard has gotten someone thinking a szamboti could be mistakin for his. Hit the balls the szamboti should stand out . Richard made his own tips,used ivory for ferrules. Richard did something with the theads in his ferrules. Richard didn't even use a pantograph till later on.Just as fatboy said barry could help so could Richard,Play it up a bit (1980-1983 richard used 5/16-18) all others 9/16-14.the cues from 75 were 4 pt vennerwith flat faced stainless.these cues had maple band in the joint rings with 4 ebony checks.in 76 same rings but joint went piloted.in77 the checks in the ebony joint rings went to six. 1980 to 8 ebony chcks in the joint collar.mid-83 nickel-silver joint rings,9/16-14. richard has made piolated flat faced, brass,micarta,and phenolic. used 5/16-14,5/16-18,3/8-10 and a few 3/8-8 joint screws. all rb signed by 1979. tips were special.10-1/2 inch straight taper.balance point 18-1/2 inchfrom butt , polyurethane finnish 571/2 delrin butt cap. hope this helps
 
Interesting discussion and facts. Does anyone know if Gus was staining his birdseye maple forearms from this period or if ever. I have seen a lot of close-up pictures of Szambotis but have yet to see a stained forearm. This could be a telling difference as well!! Maybe
 
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