I see some Joss cues that say "Joss" on the butt cap and others have it engraved on the joint. Anyone know why? I emailed Joss and got no answer.
If you are talking about the serial number etc on the steel joint collar, they started doing that in the late 90's IIRC. The concept is a way of tracking, and registering the cue to the original owner for warranty issues etc.
If you are talking about gold lettered "Joss Custom" on the black joint rings, that was the 80s into the early 90s, I dont have exact dates to give you, but thats the rough time line.
As to the butt cap, Danny Janes has changed that logo every so often throughout the life of the company, dating all the way back to when he and Bill Stroud were making cues together.