Hoppe Cue ID

[topcat1953]

I have four Willie Hoppes. The one I have has no bumper and the Ivory ring. I believe it to be the oldest. This cue has never been refinished, but it appears there has never been a sticker on the butt. If I remember correctly, I have seen this cue elsewhere with no label.
Can someone help with a chronicle of when the line started and ended, plus a sequence of the cue and it's physical changes through those years??? When did the label appear, etc.???

 

[Cuebuddy]

I would like to help more but no time to type now:smile:. Check this out.
http://oldsplice.homestead.com/

 

[topcat1953]

Hoppe

Wow, is all I can say about that site Superb info.

 

[TATE]

Here's the pages for my Brunswick catalogs.

The earliest ad I have for the Professional is the 1942 catalog - the lower right hand page.

http://www.palmercollector.com/Brunswick/BruswickCollectorHomePage.html

Does the one on top say Willie Hoppe anywhere? It looks to me like a Master Stroke, since it has none of the Hoppe features. Is the joint screw in the butt or shaft on that one?

Here's the Master Stroke ad from the 1949 catalog:

http://www.palmercollector.com/Brunswick/Brunswick_1949_Page_5.jpg


Chris

 

[TATE]

I have four Willie Hoppes. The one I have has no bumper and the Ivory ring. I believe it to be the oldest. This cue has never been refinished, but it appears there has never been a sticker on the butt. If I remember correctly, I have seen this cue elsewhere with no label.
Can someone help with a chronicle of when the line started and ended, plus a sequence of the cue and it's physical changes through those years??? When did the label appear, etc.???

View attachment 140383

View attachment 140384

So, looking at your cues, here's what I would say.

Top one - Master Stroke from the 1940's, or if the joint screw is in the shaft, earlier (1930's) (decal missing).

Next one down with the ivory ring, 1950's Hoppe.

Next one down, early 1960's Hoppe.

Last one, 1966 to 1970 Hoppe. This production time is an educated guess and is pretty likely since it looks like a real Titlist blank and not imported. They stopped production of the Titlist about then and started importing Hioppe's and titlists from Adam Japan in the 1970's.

These are all estimates - I can't really tell from the pictures the signatures but this is pretty much generically where there cues are likely to fit in.

Chris