Older Merry Widow Cue Identification – Pointed 5/16×14 Piloted Joint

1

11Cues

Member
I've had this older Merry Widow in my collection for quite a while, but I've never been able to identify the maker.

I realize it's not the typical flashy cue that usually gets posted, but I've always found the construction of older cues just as interesting as the decorative work. In particular, the pointed 5/16×14 piloted joint really caught my attention, and I'm hoping someone might recognize the maker or shop behind it.

The cue features:
  • Pointed 5/16×14 piloted joint
  • Aluminum joint collar
  • Brass shaft insert
  • Black phenolic collars
  • White butt cap with double black rings
  • Merry Widow construction
The reason I'm revisiting it now is that a friend recently showed me what appears to be a very similar cue. The primary visible difference is that his has a brass joint collar instead of aluminum, but the pin, shaft insert, butt cap, and overall construction look remarkably similar to me. I've included a couple of comparison photos of his cue as well.

I'm certainly not married to any particular maker, but my initial thought was that this might be an earlier Adam—or perhaps another maker using similar construction. I'd really be interested in hearing what those with more experience think, whether that's Adam or something completely different.

Any thoughts or opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
 

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looks like it might be an import to me because of the looks of the ferrule. or a cheap adam.

in any case the shaft has a crack in it so no longer would have any real value. other than something to leave in the car for a bar cue.
 
maha said:
looks like it might be an import to me because of the looks of the ferrule. or a cheap adam.

in any case the shaft has a crack in it so no longer would have any real value. other than something to leave in the car for a bar cue.
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Thanks. I wasn’t so much concerned about the value. I was mainly hoping to identify the maker based on the unusual (to me) pointed 5/16×14 pin. That’s the part that’s been nagging at me.
 
11Cues said:
Thanks. I wasn’t so much concerned about the value. I was mainly hoping to identify the maker based on the unusual (to me) pointed 5/16×14 pin. That’s the part that’s been nagging at me.
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maha said:
looks like it might be an import to me because of the looks of the ferrule. or a cheap adam.

in any case the shaft has a crack in it so no longer would have any real value. other than something to leave in the car for a bar cue.
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…lol, and yes, besides the crack, it has a bit of wobble too. 😅
 
14 and 18 pins were almost the only things we got back then. and still are good. i get all my shafts 14 so they interchange with all my butts.

brass joints were the best then till s.s. came around. i still like the brass joints. but no one can really tell the joints in a blind test.
 
11Cues said:
Thank you! That’s exactly what I was hoping to learn.

One quick question—would the same cue with a brass joint collar instead of aluminum likely be a later version, or a different model altogether?
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Most likely the same model.

There were several joints available as options. I have that cue listed and pictured in at least 2 later catalogs as well.

Adam produced millions of cues, we commonly see variations that don't exactly match the catalogs, as well as models not listed in any known catalog.
 
Chopdoc said:
Most likely the same model.

There were several joints available as options. I have that cue listed and pictured in at least 2 later catalogs as well.

Adam produced millions of cues, we commonly see variations that don't exactly match the catalogs, as well as models not listed in any known catalog.
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Ah, I thought maybe it was a transition between years, not just an option. I really appreciate that clarification!
 
Chopdoc said:
Most likely the same model.

There were several joints available as options. I have that cue listed and pictured in at least 2 later catalogs as well.

Adam produced millions of cues, we commonly see variations that don't exactly match the catalogs, as well as models not listed in any known catalog.
Click to expand...
Do you have a catalog showing this Adam cue case? Picked it up this week with an Adam AH 7 -brass joint. Both cue and case are mint condition. I am very impressed by this case construction - very thick leather base , 1x2 cloth interior, nice mid century modern design- I always thought that the Adam case was cheap vinyl but it is cleary a strong , thick leather based case.IMG_3750.jpegIMG_3751.jpegIMG_3753.jpeg
 
mikemosconi said:
Do you have a catalog showing this Adam cue case? Picked it up this week with an Adam AH 7 -brass joint. Both cue and case are mint condition. I am very impressed by this case construction - very thick leather base , 1x2 cloth interior, nice mid century modern design- I always thought that the Adam case was cheap vinyl but it is cleary a strong , thick leather based case.View attachment 921902View attachment 921903View attachment 921904
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Adam A/H-7

Untitled.png


The case came is vinyl (imitation leather) and genuine leather. I have a black one imitation, very well made, the one on the right. I don't think I have ever seen a real leather one in person.

Untitled2.png


This is the catalog, I do not know the year.

Untitled.png
 
Chopdoc said:
Adam A/H-7

View attachment 921905

The case came is vinyl (imitation leather) and genuine leather. I have a black one imitation, very well made, the one on the right. I don't think I have ever seen a real leather one in person.

View attachment 921906

This is the catalog, I do not know the year.

View attachment 921907
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Thank you! I got lucky in getting a case that is leather / This combo that I acquired came from an estate of someone who passed on 30 years ago and looks as if it never left a home environment from the day the cue and case were purchased. I had no idea how solid and thick the leather was on these cases- some who have seen mine say they like it more than the It’s George case.
 
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