Early 70's Viking Titlist Conversion...maybe?

Chopdoc

Chopdoc

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
EDIT: Based on responses and examples found, it may be a 1972 W60

So, I grabbed this for cheap, without great pictures, thinking it was early, cool, and maybe Titlist.

Looking closer now that I have it, I think I was right. The veneer colors are right, and faded like an older Titlist, not the later ones. I haven't cleaned anything on it yet. This is as found in very nice condition with virtually no finish left and a little dirty. I will be excited to see the veneer colors with a cleaning. Yes, the points really are that dark. No, I don't think it is ebony. One can wish though. It must have an A joint or something under the wrap because the butt sleeve wood does not match the point wood. Sadly a nylon wrap but that is easily remedied.

It just says Viking in the window, nothing else, printed on the old book binding material. I didn't take a pic yet of the butt end, it is bumperless, and the pin is a round nose brass, 5/16x18 of course.

Thoughts on the Titlist notion? Age of cue judging from the window/book binding material/font?

What would you do with it? (No, not selling it.) Refinish? Just clean it? Change the wrap?

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I want to say no.

But after comparing the veneer colors to my oldest Brunswick Titlist cues I have a feeling it is.
There are color variations of Ebony that match that cue, but I have seen many rosewoods and some Purpleheart that also will be that shade as they age.

I have also seen a Viking made from a Titlist blank but it seemed older than yours.
I remember a post that I added pics of it years ago. I may still have pics on my phone. This was in Denver and the gentleman that owned Said "not for sale" as I started asking.;)
 
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I vote "yes" on Titlist. Got my circa '48/'49* WHP out to compare, and they are close, if not a match.

Here is the problem I have on the Ebony Issue. My points are very dark, but will not qualify as "solid black" like piano keys. If examined under a very strong light I can see grain in them. I wish someone had a method to distinguish Ebony and Brazilian Rosewood.

* Beginning in 1941, Brunswick offered the Willie Hoppe Professional in weights of 20, 21, and 22 ounces. In 1948, Brunswick added 18 and 19 ounce cues. Brunswick’s catalog gives no specifications on the length of the Willie Hoppe Professional for 1941 and 1942. In 1943 the specified length is 57 inches. In the 1945, 1946, 1948, and 1949 (Spring) catalogs, the specified length is 56 inches. In the 1949 (Fall) catalog, the length became 57 inches and remained at 57 inches for the years I checked. My cue is stamped “18” and measures 56 ⅜ inches w/o a tip. If one assumes both that Brunswick manufactured and shipped per its specifications and that my cue length is unaltered, one can fairly conclude that my cue (which also had an ivory Hoppe Ring) was made in 1948 or early 1949.
 
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Normally I like original cues, but this one would refinish beautifully. I'd refinish it, put a green / white linen wrap on it and match it with a modern shaft. She'd probably play as well as any cue and look better than most.
 
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mikemosconi said:
Not all Ebony is “solid black” -
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Yes! Very true!

But how many will call it an "ebony Titlist" if it isn't jet black ebony? They will usually at least add a qualifying word in front of "ebony" whether the species or otherwise. Besides, I am doubting it is Titlist at all...

As a reference for such things I have these two examples, positively identified as Titlist, in my collection.


This is my ebony Titlist conversion Gandy "HC-140".

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This is my 1960's Titlist conversion Viking "38-A. Obviously not ebony.

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fjk said:
Normally I like original cues, but this one would refinish beautifully. I'd refinish it, put a green / white linen wrap on it and match it with a modern shaft. She's probably play as well as any cue and look better than most.
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Thanks!

Yes, that is a real possibility. Classic look, and it really should be a player.

I was also thinking perhaps a smooth black leather wrap.
 
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