Can you identify this cue?

KoolKat9Lives

KoolKat9Lives

Taught 'em all I know
Silver Member
Palmer cue compress.JPG

Joints Palmer compress.JPG

Forearm Palmer compress.JPG

Buttcap Palmer compress.JPG

Butt shot Palmer compress.JPGHere's my old warrior. I bought it new in 1974 for @ $130 in a prominent pool hall in Philly. I was told it was an "X" (I don't want to skew any of your thoughts on the make). But, I have received so many differing opinions as to the make, from so many cue afficienados, that I am not sure anymore. Sorry @ the pic quality, I'm not Rick S. or anything.

Yes, the butt and linen is original. Picture of the butt cap off and taken apart is in next post.

I did get a new shaft in '76 - ordered thru the pool hall. The ferrule recently was replaced (some yak picked it up by mistake and broke with it, cracking it slightly. I damn near crapped myself), and "inside" we found a surprise.

(Since I can't vouch 100% the entire replacement shaft is original, although I am pretty sure it is, I hesitate to mention this, but... I believe the new shaft was $90 back then?) Anyway, there is a threaded metal dowel under the ferrule, coming out from the end of the shaft. The shaft wood from where the dowel protrudes has a reduced diameter, perhaps 1/4" long. I forget if the dowel is brass.

I can take any specific shot and post if it is helpful!

Many thanks in advance, Matt
 
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Last pic

looking into the nether region reveals:
 

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bnkunderme said:
p a l m e r
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Thanks for the input!

That's what they claimed it to be upon purchase. However, in all the Palmer books I've looked at, I can not find it. A poster here, Tate I believe, who's email addy is thepalmercollector@aol or something, states he is a Palmer collector, and says it isn't. So I'm all bumfuzzled.

bnkunderme, do u know for sure, and if so (and u don't mind me asking)
why???

Mucho appreesh,

Matt
 
hangemhigh said:
Is the cue a 3pt. or 4 pt. ?
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Hangem, it's 4 point. One guy I know, cue identifier expertise unknown, believes it's a Brunswick blank. I Dunno though...

Some people have said it's a Rich, my repair guy that did the new ferrule said he only knew of Viking back in the 70's doing the metal threaded dowels, another guy says it's a this, another a that...

I really really wanna know what I've been holding in my hands all these years. It's driving me nuts that I can't get a definitive answer.

Thanks again all.
 
I had a viking with the metal insert going into the ferrule. Not sure on how old it was but they definetly used the metal insert.
 
As mentioned in my message, after doing a little more research, I would lean more toward a Paradise or early Viking. The Viking X series ran from 1972-1974. Paradise would have marked the cue under the butt cap, thus, I am really starting to think X series Viking, if it is an X, its worth approx $500.00 in nice condition.


Paradise however did a threaded screw on ferrul on his cues......
 
bnkunderme said:
As mentioned in my message, after doing a little more research, I would lean more toward a Paradise or early Viking. The Viking X series ran from 1972-1974. Paradise would have marked the cue under the butt cap, thus, I am really starting to think X series Viking, if it is an X, its worth approx $500.00 in nice condition.


Paradise however did a threaded screw on ferrul on his cues......
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Does anyone know any "early" Viking afficienados I could check with?

Would a pic of deep inside the butt ummm hole be of any assistance (as u mentioned in pm bnkunderme)?
 
I think that the cue could have been made by the National Cue Company. However, it is hard to say for sure, I have heard that some beleive the cue could be a Palmer. If so it is a proto-type of maybe a special order, but forum Member Tate would be the one to contact.

Take Care
 
I think ppl have cues out there that we will never be able to find who made them. But it drives you crazy not knowing who made it. I am in the same boat on a cue trying to find out who made it. I wish you the best of luck on your quest. The main thing is if you love the cue and the hit of it. Good luck . Jerry
 
Ok...this is the last of what I got to help ya,

The ferrul is a frank Paradise influence thing. Paradise stopped making cues in roughly '68

The "X" thing makes me think viking, the style is similar but cannot seem to find it in any cataloge.

The joint, is very Palmeresque, similiar cue is in his second edition catalogue.

Next step would be track down a Palmer, Viking, Paradise expert and see what they say. But these three are my best guess.
 
Philly

Maybe a Doc Fry since it was from the Philly area. I am sure his cues were offered out there. Do we have any Fry experts out there????
 
bnkunderme said:
Ok...this is the last of what I got to help ya,

The ferrul is a frank Paradise influence thing. Paradise stopped making cues in roughly '68

The "X" thing makes me think viking, the style is similar but cannot seem to find it in any cataloge.

The joint, is very Palmeresque, similiar cue is in his second edition catalogue.

Next step would be track down a Palmer, Viking, Paradise expert and see what they say. But these three are my best guess.
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Thanks bnkunderme! Rep sent.

Yeah, it is frustrating, but I have some good leads to follow up on. Thanks so much guys.

One general question: When the pool hall sent away for another shaft, is it possible the company that fixed it used the original joint and a non-original shaft which had the metal dowel in the ferrule?

(that's why I was kinda hesitant to mention the ferrule "thingie")
 
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Cuaba said:
"Tate" hasn't posted yet. He might know exactly what it is?
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This is what Chris "Tate" emailed me last year. He is confident it is not a Palmer. He, nor I, were aware of the metal dowel at the time - which may be complicating the matter.

However, as you'll note in his writings, the cue had never been hit. The mention that it could be a prototype for a special order is the answer I currently romance, lol.

From Tate:

Matt,

These cues are commonly confused. If it was used at the time, the pool room probably thought it was a Palmer. It's not a Palmer and it probably is a Rich, or something along the lines of a Rich. Rich's were made in New York also imported later from Taiwan after the company was purchased by Imperial Billiards in 1975. They were basically inexpensive cues. I believe yours is a New York version, but it's hard to tell. Unfortunately there is not much of a collector following for them - it's worth maybe $100 - $150.

Chris
 
PhilosopherKing said:
Karl Mayer... rubber bumper added?
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Not sure if it's the original rubber. It's been 35 years. Mayer - isn't he in the music biz? ;)
 
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KoolKat9Lives said:
It's the original rubber. Mayer - isn't he in the music biz? ;)
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Yeah, same guy. Every now and then, he'll step into the time machine and moonlight as a 70's cue maker.;)

Joking aside, I think it's a Mayer.
 
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