Merry Widow

lumberjack

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Can anyone tell me the meaning of the term "Merry Widow" as relates to cues? I have heard different explanations and have a pint of beer bet on the answer.
Thanks,
lumberjack
 
Merry Widow!

Can anyone tell me the meaning of the term "Merry Widow" as relates to cues? I have heard different explanations and have a pint of beer bet on the answer.
Thanks,
lumberjack

My version of the story has something to do with the preacher coming by to console her after the old man kicks the can.

Sorry you knew that would happen!

336Robin
aimisthegameinpool@yahoo.com
 
This is a 2 piece cue that has points (may also have veneers), but is plain wood on the butt handle.

Personally, I am not a fan of them. I want my butt handle to have a design also.
 
Every description of these I have seen comes down to Plain Cue with a Wrap, like my signature pic. Not a sneaky/spliced, and no points. No clue how the name came about though.
 
I always thought that a merry widow cue is just a cue without points.
I'm pretty sure that cues with points are not considered merry widow's.
 
merry widow

Wow! I feel better now, as so far there is no consensus. I am glad to know that I did not just crawl out from under a rock. Keep those opinions coming!
 
My understanding of a Merry Widow is a plain cue with a wrap & no points or inlays. May or may not have fancy ring work. The Schon STL-1 is one as far as I know.
 
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This is a 2 piece cue that has points (may also have veneers), but is plain wood on the butt handle.

Personally, I am not a fan of them. I want my butt handle to have a design also.

No, the current meaning of "Merry Widow" is pretty much synonymous with "Plain Jane". No points possibly some ringwork, no inlays.
 
The term was coined by Brunswick. It was one of their early cues, made without points, and possibly first built before 1900

Jfe
 
Wow I just realized that it is merry widow and not merry window. Have no idea why I have always misread that.
 
Can anyone tell me the meaning of the term "Merry Widow" as relates to cues? I have heard different explanations and have a pint of beer bet on the answer.
Thanks,
lumberjack

https://store.bluebookinc.com/InstantAccess/Category.aspx?product=7&id=56

As already mentioned, Brunswick was most likely the first to introduce the "Merry Widow." It was distinguished from their other jointed cues in that the butt didn't have a splice. And in those days, the only splices were butterfly and full splices. So, in other words, it didn't have points or butterflies.

The presumption was that a Merry Widow had a one piece butt and that Brunswick put a wrap on it. With modern techniques and modern glues, a modern three-piece butt can be made to look like a one-piece butt with a wrap and would still be correctly called a Merry Widow IMO because of the final look. Some would call this a Merry Widow-style or something and add other finishing touches like rings, but no inlays.

I like the story that the etymology of the term stems from the idea that the wife is a billiard widow, but the low intracacy of the cue didn't break their bank.

Fred
 
merry widow

I saw the same thing peppersauce saw on the CCC website, which confused me as well. Bottom line consensus seems to be a cue with no points or inlays. Thanks to all. Very good use of the forum!
Lumberjack
 
No, the current meaning of "Merry Widow" is pretty much synonymous with "Plain Jane". No points possibly some ringwork, no inlays.

Sherm would know, he's a cuemaker.. I had the same thought too Sherm!
 
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