Here's a cue Mr. Jerry Rauenzahn started in 1985. This masterpiece was recently finished after the original owner no longer was able to complete the transaction. His loss, my gain. Notice ringwork at all points, A, B, C, D, and E. Cue weighs 19 oz and is extremely well balanced. Talk about old school hit, WOW!!!
Sharp, perfectly even points, full splice, curly purpleheart, titlist veneers including real mahogany, ivory Hoppe ring, stainless steel joint with 5/16-14 stainless pin, ivory ferrules, thick nickel silver rings, and #7 of Jerry Rauenzahn's first phase of full spliced construction.
The PH wood is incredibly vivid with 3-D effects when you roll it back and forth. Mr. Jerry challenged himself to make a true full spliced cue with the same length of points from top to bottom as the old titlists, however, he moved it up closer to the joint so you can see the tight splice on the bottom joint if you choose to have a wrap. This is about as old school as it gets.
Thank you Mr. Jerry!!!
John Marshall
Here is a view during construction comparing the length of points of an old Titlist and Jerry Rauenzahn's full splice.
Here's one that Jerry Rauenzahn restored. It's exactly like the one in the Brunswick brochure figure V.120 from 1923-24 located on page 197 of The Billiard Encyclopedia 3rd Edition.
All white is ivory. Cortland linen fishing line was one of the options available in 1923-24 ( so was cork, silk, and twine). Notice how the full-spliced points are very sharp on both ends. How did a cue builder (Herman Rambow??) master this full-splice back between 1912-1924??? Each cue has three full splices and 5 veneer butterflies in between on top of that!
Mr. Jerry -R- thinks this cue belongs in a Museum, so do I. Unfortunately the pictures don't show the antique yellowing patina in the old ivory. Up close this cue is a true gem. Old School and OLD!!!
Update: 8-29-09
I took this cue out for a test run (played a dozen racks or so of 8 * 9 ball). VERY STIFF hit with the shaft which is 25 1/2" long, and it also has ivory joints. It's REALLY surprising how stiff it hits!! It's 54 5/8" in length, and weighs about 20 1/2 oz.
I especially love the way the ebony smoothly feels and looks while lining up a shot.
All white is ivory, ivory/ebony slotted ringwork, ivory joint & butt sleeve, ferrule, and all inlays. Birdseye maple on ebony with perfect veneered points that have no glue lines. I don't know how Mr. Jerry does it, but they are unreal. The mitered boxes are crisp and line up on the corners perfectly. True artistic craftsmanship. Stainless steel radial pin and near seamless leather wrap turn on the fire of this old school player.
I LOVE the firm hit. Cue has a leather wrap and Mr. Jerry Rauenzahn was able to save and use the original shaft in his restoration. Mr. Tate, Jerry -R-, and I think this cue is pre-Hoppe or very early Hoppe because of the veneer colors. The old maple shaft weighs 4.2 oz and the butt weighs 15 oz. Cue has an ivory Hoppe ring and ivory ferrule, all white is ivory. The balance point is 20" up from the end of the butt, or about 4" above the leather wrap. Cue is 57 7/8" long together, butt is 29" and shaft is 28 7/8".
This is one of the finest hitting cues I have ever had the pleasure of playing with. There's something very special about old growth wood. Thank YOU Mr. Jerry -R-!!!
Enjoy,
John
edited 6/22/09
Yes, it's one heck of a player.
I was talking to Mr. Jerry Rauenzahn today and he told me he has another Brunswick 26 1/2 or very early titlist one piece with a dark mahogany or some kind of dark fruit wood stashed away from the same person this purpleheart cue came from. Someone could have Jerry -R- make a great conversion cue out of it.
It has an ivory ferrule with 13.25 mm shaft that weighs 4.0 oz, and I had Jerry match a Predator 314 partial for the cue also. It sports thick 0.050" nickel/silver rings which are no longer available. When you tighten down the shafts they snuggly fit together on the last full turn which gives maximum feel and control in your hands and stroke.
The veneer work on the points is flawless. The rosewood is beautiful, and the pictures do not show the curly maple nearly as well as when it is held in your hands. Leather wrap is hard to find the seam. Cue weighs 19.0 oz. Mr. Jerry layered the veneers next to the Delrin butt cap which gives it an old school look. Cue has stainless steel 5/16-14 pin and stainless steel joint collar. It is a very solid hitting cue.
Solid ivory joints, ivory Hoppe ring, ivory ferrule, best titlist veneers I've seen yet, and Ebony points with a leather wrap, WOW. I was told the shaft is very, very old.
It hits sooo sweet!!! Check out Jerry Rauenzahn's old school veneer work. When I looked at the leather wrap, I had to take the cue into another room with better lighting so I could find the seam; it's very hard to find. The finish is awesome. Ivory joint, radial pin, and check out the large mother of pearl wedge, WOW!! He also put an ivory plug in the bottom of the butt plate, nice touch!!
Also included are 2 model 26 1/2 Brunswick cues; one of which is a Rambow striped ebony cue, the other is made from rare bloodwood. Hope you enjoy Jerry -R-'s work. He's a Master Craftsman when it comes to Tribute cues.
This rare striped ebony Brunswick model 26 1/2 cue is by far the best hitting cue I have ever played with or owned thanks to Jerry Rauenzahn. The original forearm joint was less than .800 in diameter. Jerry -R- modified this very rare cue so it can be used as a special events player. It now sports an ivory joint and radial pin. All white is ivory. Jerry refinished this cue to perfection. Mr. Rauenzahn was able to keep the mother of pearl name plate in tack, and save the original scroll engraved name "Henry Hafer". Look at how detailed the veneers are, and extremely crisp the points are at both ends. The striping in the ebony is beautiful and pictures do not do it justice.
Considering the age of this cue it was exeptionally well built for its day. Jerry and I compared this work to a 1934 modified Ford 3 window coupe, lots of fun to drive, good looking, and better than new!!! Enjoy!!!