Pool Cue Identification Help

Benelli

Benelli

Well-known member
I purchased this cue from a Chicago Estate sale and I think it is one of the most beautiful things I now own and has definitely become my new favorite cue!

It has what appears to be purple heart veneers in a Titleist pattern with additional embellishments on the points. A black leather wrap like what you would find on a period Brunswick Willie Hoppe. The white dots are ivory and so is the butt cap, the cap has been hot needle tested. On the lower butt cap is an inscribed mother-of-pearl plate with what I assume is the original owner's name since I can't find any record of a Cue maker with that name. It does not have a brass joint so I don't think it could be a Rambow and someone on another forum suggested it could be a custom build out of the Brunswick shop in Chicago but I don't know how you would validate that. Another collector friend said he had seen similar Mother of Perl nameplates on cues that were stored or left at pool halls in the 20's and 30's so that might help in providing a date.


Please take a look gentlemen and see if this matches up to anything or anyone you have seen in the past. All help or clues is greatly appreciated!

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A couple things pop out when looking at this cue: one the point appears to have a line of darker wood just below the dot inlay. I wonder if all four points are like that which would indicate that the cue may have had a wrap prior to the leather ( making the cue much more Rambow with shorter points). There is also what appears to be 2 veneers right at the buttcap which may help further identify it.
 
It looks in the picture like the bakeIite was sleeved over a brass joint. That part may not be original. Is the cue for sale?
 
I believe AE Sterling sold blanks out of St Louis or somewhere in the south. Viking founders daughter mentioned that name when I was asking about another cue I’d.
 
cueman said:
It looks in the picture like the bakeIite was sleeved over a brass joint. That part may not be original. Is the cue for sale?
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There may be a small metal collar inside the bakelite down to the wood of the butt, but it's hard to tell. It's definitely not a brass joint and is surprisingly lite in that part of the cue with all the weight being in the wood portion below. But still very balanced with the shaft attached.

No, it is not for sale.
 
Benelli said:
Agreed, going to call Proficient next week and see about getting it in their shop for a refurb.

I can't wait to see those veneers look like they just came out of the Brunswick shop!
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And, Proficient has no interest in touching it...

they won't touch the MOP nameplate and ivory butt cap so I could get the top half refinished and then put a new wrap on it, but the lower half would be untouched.

Needless to say, I have to contemplate this...

Does anyone have a different recommendation for someone who would be willing to do a little hand refinishing on cue of this age?
 
Begin to slowly clean it yourself ("search" for clean-up tips). Buy some Renaissance Wax. The more love you give it, the better it will look. It will never look brand new, but it isn't. Give it some time -- it takes a while for expectations to readjust,
 
Benelli said:
Agreed, going to call Proficient next week and see about getting it in their shop for a refurb.

I can't wait to see those veneers look like they just came out of the Brunswick shop!
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That is a cue you may want to leave as an antique rather than turn it into just another Titlist conversion. Which is what you will have once you spend the money to "restore it" It is likely going to be a better investment left as is with cleaning and basic structural considerations attended to on a need to be basis. You can never restore the history you're about to wipe out. Please don't make a hasty decision.
I suspect it's a 26 1/2 not a Titlist.
 
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“Refurb” of this cue might prove to be a bad move investment wise. Perhaps limit any work done on it to things that need attention structurally as opposed to aesthetics.

Cool cue good chance Rambow work.

Best,
Brian kc
 
I'm bubbling this old thread back up because I recently purchased a second cue that has a lot in common with the one I originally posted in this thread.

First, the Renaissance wax recommendation was a homerun and I used it to clean the cue slowly over time and have come to appreciate it more and more every day. It will stay just the way it is so thanks for all the feedback

Second lets take a look at this new cue:
WWII BBC joint, check. Custom conversion of a stock cue, check. Ivory ferrule, nameplate, and Rambow ring, check. Stunningly beautiful cue, check.

I figured I would post some picks as a reference between the two cues.

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Feel pretty strongly this is a Rambow conversion since that ring was never natively on this style of cue and that is signature touch.

Thoughts?
 
Benelli said:
I'm bubbling this old thread back up because I recently purchased a second cue that has a lot in common with the one I originally posted in this thread.

First, the Renaissance wax recommendation was a homerun and I used it to clean the cue slowly over time and have come to appreciate it more and more every day. It will stay just the way it is so thanks for all the feedback

Second lets take a look at this new cue:
WWII BBC joint, check. Custom conversion of a stock cue, check. Ivory ferrule, nameplate, and Rambow ring, check. Stunningly beautiful cue, check.

I figured I would post some picks as a reference between the two cues.

PXL-20240706-204246455.jpg


PXL-20240706-204242180.jpg


PXL-20240706-204239953.jpg


PXL-20240706-204235921.jpg


PXL-20240706-204232891.jpg


Feel pretty strongly this is a Rambow conversion since that ring was never natively on this style of cue and that is signature touch.

Thoughts?
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I would just say this is a Brunswick dealer or supplier order

You could walk into any of Brunswicks shops and personalize or order a cue.

That red plastic was used in the 1930s, I have had a few with it.

No Rbow signature, you really can't call it a Rambow. Any of the shops could order this, and no guarantee Herman did the work

Really cool examples either way
 
ideologist said:
I would just say this is a Brunswick dealer or supplier order

You could walk into any of Brunswicks shops and personalize or order a cue.

That red plastic was used in the 1930s, I have had a few with it.

No Rbow signature, you really can't call it a Rambow. Any of the shops could order this, and no guarantee Herman did the work

Really cool examples either way
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So this is the first time anyone has attached a date to that Bakelite and brass joint other than WWII. Any additional info you can provide around that timing?
 
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