Cue Identification - Old Titlist wrapless as well as Willie Hoppe Conversion ?

[lpeck1952]

I have had many Willie Hoppe cues over the years - but I am scratching my head on this Titlist Cue conversion?.
This cue looks to be a Titlist blank that was converted early in it's lifetime - as spray coating on butt looks old and somewhat discolored or yellowed to a small degree.
My questions are: This cue is a "Wrapless Titlist" which is not un common - - but their is also a small section of the "Wil" in the forearm - from a Willie Hoppe type cue; as I tried to show in a pic. Those letters from the beginning of the Willie Hoppe tradition signature on cue are faint - yet are there.
The Willie Hoppe cue's that I have had prior were all "Wrapped Cues" and not "Wrapless as this cue is". The wrapless is throwing me for a loop.
The conversion also has a machined (looks to be a polished steel) butt cap also.
This cue just smells of being an early conversion cue from one of the Legend Master Cue makers form the 50's or 60's.
Cue also has 2 shafts - each looking to be ivory ferrules.
Cue has the vintage old brown leather square case which has shown some miles / much time of usage.

Any thoughts would be appreciated. I just can not get a handle on origin by myself.
See Pics that I tried to group - but individuals can be sent if needed
Thanks for ideas

 

[Fast Lenny]

I would say a very early conversion from who I do not know. Nice cue though.

 

[runouteasy]

Somebody took an old Willie Hoppe 2 piece cue and turned it down, thereby removing most of the signature stamp and the wrap groove. The joint collar and pin are just like those on the Hoppe 2 piece cues. Then to add weight and ad length they crudely added the aluminum butt cap. This was all done probably much more recently than you are thinking. None of the early masters working with titlist cues would do it like this. Still a cool cue, enjoy.

 

[lpeck1952]

As part of my major concern noted on 1st post - -
I personally "have not ever seen a wrapless Willie Hoppe Cue. The ones I had; all had wraps and were 2 pc of coarse".

Did Willie Hoppe Signature cues ever come as a one piece without a wrap? ( or a 2pc and no wrap? )

That could explain this cue then.
It's just I never owned a 2 pc "wrapless" with Hoppe signature.

I also figured that whom-ever did this conversion also sanded / ? - some of the Hoppe signature down.
Thanks for the info - I appreciate anything and all possibilities

 

[rjb1168]

Did Willie Hoppe Signature cues ever come as a one piece without a wrap? ( or a 2pc and no wrap? ) That could explain this cue then.

Yes, i believe they did.