Merry Widow Cue

I'm not sure it has a fixed meaning. I've seen it used to describe a cue that has points, inlays, or whatever on either the buttsleeve or the nose, but not both, but I've also seen cues that I would have called "plain janes" (no inlays or points anywhere, but with a linen or leather wrap) described as merry widows.
 
Kevin Lindstrom said:
What exactly is a "Merry Widow" cue and where did the style and name originate from??????????
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Until I read here on AZ, I've only heard of a Merry Widow cue described one way: Plain single piece butt. No splice. No inlays. That's how most cue dealers that I've run across describe it.

Now, I see that my friend Sheldon Lebow has a different definition. He and I will have to discuss it over a drink or two.

A cuemaker might actually assemble the butt into the standard three pieces, wrap it with linen so that it looks like the butt could be in one piece. So, some people will call that "Merry Widow style," because it only looks like a Merry Widow. But calling it a Merry Widow is still okay in my book.

http://www.chalkers.com/id302.htm

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=60147

http://209.85.129.104/search?q=cach...33+"merry+widow+cue"&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=6&gl=us

and Raist Chin's post here:

http://www.poolfanatic.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-6299.html


Fred
 
Cornerman said:
Until I read here on AZ, I've only heard of a Merry Widow cue described one way: Plain single piece butt. No splice. No inlays.
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This is exactly what I always thought, but with or without inlays as long as the butt was one single piece of wood.
 
I've always used merry widow to describe a plain cue, no points. May or may not have some fancy rings, or inlays in the butt. Same wood used throughout usually.
 
cubswin said:
I've always used merry widow to describe a plain cue, no points. May or may not have some fancy rings, or inlays in the butt. Same wood used throughout usually.
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I always understood there were no inlays in the butt sleeve, either. I remember seeing ads for Merry Widow style cues, that had no inlay whatsoever. I can't remember where, however. May have been in early or mid '70s Palmer catalog? Adam, maybe?
 
My current understanding is nothing in the butt. :D



.....still seems to be a matter of some debate though.
 
Mr. Wilson said:
My current understanding is nothing in the butt. :D
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LOL -- I always thot "merry widows" were a plain cue w/no points and no inlays with the same wood used for the butt sleeve and forearm.

When we figure this out we can determine at what point a sneaky pete becomes a hustler.:confused:
 
1923 / 1924 catalogue of The Brunswick-Balke-Collender Co.

Cue No. 28 - Merry Widow Cue

Shows a butt of "fancy" imported wood, silk wrapped. No points or inlays.
Ivory joint.

Interestly, the shaft is a 14-inch splice of matching hardwood above maple.
 
Frankenstroke said:
Cue No. 28 - Merry Widow Cue

Shows a butt of "fancy" imported wood, silk wrapped. No points or inlays.
Ivory joint.

Interestly, the shaft is a 14-inch splice of matching hardwood above maple.
Click to expand...

Got Any Pics?
 
Hi Kevin. Not sure of the history of the name but recall cues with no points and a wrap referred to as a merry widow in about 1969 when I bought one, a rosewood National Tournament Cue with one shaft. Merry widow usually means no decor or minimal decor. IMO it would not be correct to call a box cue a merry widow simply because it didn't have points.

Martin


Kevin Lindstrom said:
What exactly is a "Merry Widow" cue and where did the style and name originate from??????????
Click to expand...
 
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