Vintage Adam Cue Identification – Looking for Model, Year & Catalog Match

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11Cues

New member
I recently picked up this vintage cue and believe it to be an older Adam based on its construction and styling. Another member (thanks, Chopdoc!) suggested I post it here, as there are several members who may be able to help identify the exact model and production years.

I’d appreciate any information regarding the model designation, approximate year of manufacture, or a catalog reference if anyone recognizes it.

Specifications:

• Overall Length: 58”
• Weight: 17.0 oz
• Ferrule: 11.7 mm
• Oversized brass piloted joint with coarse-thread pin
• White/black Irish linen wrap
• Original matching shaft and ring pattern

I’ve attached several detailed photos of the cue, joint, butt sleeve, and overall construction.

Thanks in advance for any information you can share!
 

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11Cues said:
I recently picked up this vintage cue and believe it to be an older Adam based on its construction and styling. Another member (thanks, Chopdoc!) suggested I post it here, as there are several members who may be able to help identify the exact model and production years.

I’d appreciate any information regarding the model designation, approximate year of manufacture, or a catalog reference if anyone recognizes it.

Specifications:

• Overall Length: 58”
• Weight: 17.0 oz
• Ferrule: 11.7 mm
• Oversized brass piloted joint with coarse-thread pin
• White/black Irish linen wrap
• Original matching shaft and ring pattern

I’ve attached several detailed photos of the cue, joint, butt sleeve, and overall construction.

Thanks in advance for any information you can share!
Click to expand...
Adam MA-7 Black Bart

1973-74 Catalog Picture

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Sample Cue

image_4d0d782b - Copy.jpg
 
Last edited:
Thanks so much, Chopdoc! I really appreciate you taking the time to identify it and even post the catalog page. That’s exactly the kind of information I love to see. Huge help, and I really appreciate you sharing your knowledge!
 
skogstokig said:
are they all sample totempoles or did they actually look like that?

other than huebler and joss, were there any production cues in the 1970's that weren't hideous?
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Are you serious?

Have you heard of Richard Helmstetter?

What style of cue do you like?

I might dig up a picture or two for you. Maybe. :unsure: 🤪
 
Beaud82 said:
What joint is thay? Did anyone else use it? I have a cue ive had for 30 years with the same joint.
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I am unaware of any name for that joint. I do not know any specs for it. As far as I know, only Adam used it.

Here are the shaft joints in the 1973-74 Adam catalog.

73-74 joints.png
 
11Cues said:
I recently picked up this vintage cue and believe it to be an older Adam based on its construction and styling. Another member (thanks, Chopdoc!) suggested I post it here, as there are several members who may be able to help identify the exact model and production years.

I’d appreciate any information regarding the model designation, approximate year of manufacture, or a catalog reference if anyone recognizes it.

Specifications:

• Overall Length: 58”
• Weight: 17.0 oz
• Ferrule: 11.7 mm
• Oversized brass piloted joint with coarse-thread pin
• White/black Irish linen wrap
• Original matching shaft and ring pattern

I’ve attached several detailed photos of the cue, joint, butt sleeve, and overall construction.

Thanks in advance for any information you can share!
Click to expand...
Please note the bumper.

You cue does not have the "pill" bumper. It is likely from the later series of the same cue that is in a later catalog. Later 1970's I believe.
 
Chopdoc said:
Please note the bumper.

You cue does not have the "pill" bumper. It is likely from the later series of the same cue that is in a later catalog. Later 1970's I believe.
Click to expand...
Thanks again, Chopdoc! That’s a great observation. I hadn’t noticed the bumper difference. I really appreciate the additional clarification—that makes perfect sense and helps narrow down the production period even further.
 
11Cues said:
Thanks again, Chopdoc! That’s a great observation. I hadn’t noticed the bumper difference. I really appreciate the additional clarification—that makes perfect sense and helps narrow down the production period even further.
Click to expand...
It's not certain. These things vary.
 
Chopdoc said:
Are you serious?

Have you heard of Richard Helmstetter?

What style of cue do you like?

I might dig up a picture or two for you. Maybe. :unsure: 🤪
Click to expand...

sure, the big bertha guy. i'm sure he made nice designs for adam, or however that coop worked, but these here look mental to me:

Untitled4.png


butterfly veneers, floating bullets or whatever it's called, stacked MOP, stacked nylon (?) in different colors, brass.

viking and mcdermott in the same era had some really ugly cues too. (i guess viking is still on that quest). i don't have big knowledge in 70's cues, that's why i'm asking, but it seems in the 80's cues got nicer

i like many kinds of cues but lean towards woody, simple cues with good symmetry and harmony. for production cues jacoby, joss, i don't know if schon std line counts as production cues but these here are nice:

STL5.jpg

STL9.jpg
 
skogstokig said:
sure, the big bertha guy. i'm sure he made nice designs for adam, or however that coop worked, but these here look mental to me:

View attachment 919165

butterfly veneers, floating bullets or whatever it's called, stacked MOP, stacked nylon (?) in different colors, brass.

viking and mcdermott in the same era had some really ugly cues too. (i guess viking is still on that quest). i don't have big knowledge in 70's cues, that's why i'm asking, but it seems in the 80's cues got nicer

i like many kinds of cues but lean towards woody, simple cues with good symmetry and harmony. for production cues jacoby, joss, i don't know if schon std line counts as production cues but these here are nice:

View attachment 919167
View attachment 919168
Click to expand...
Well, a lot of styling was wild in the 70's including cues.



Untitled.png


Schon are definitely production cues, though they will fill custom orders. I really don't want to get into it over what is custom vs what is not or what is production. Personally, I am not into Schon, do not own one, and I have over 200 cues. The one you posted is particularly ugly with those hideous metal rings in the butt sleeve and the A joint. Those rounded CNC points are hideous. I can't recall that I have any cues with such points. Seriously, with over 200 cues I don't know that I have any with ugly rounded points like that. I have cues made in Taiwan with beautiful sharp pints, perfectly even, even some full splice. Really refined and beautiful next to that ugly garbage. You can, and many do, make sharp points with CNC.

The kind of features you talk about that you don't like can be found on cues made by great respected "biggest name" legendary "custom" makers, as well as various well respected more common makers, and "mass producers". It was the style of the times, like orange or green shag carpeting.

But the styles and design types you are talking about were definitely made, and were definitely available from Adam.

Do you actually want to see them? You will find things like full splice with veneers, real ebony, real wood dashed rings, and other such features you might not like.
 
Chopdoc said:
Well, a lot of styling was wild in the 70's including cues.



View attachment 919186

Schon are definitely production cues, though they will fill custom orders. I really don't want to get into it over what is custom vs what is not or what is production. Personally, I am not into Schon, do not own one, and I have over 200 cues. The one you posted is particularly ugly with those hideous metal rings in the butt sleeve and the A joint. Those rounded CNC points are hideous. I can't recall that I have any cues with such points. Seriously, with over 200 cues I don't know that I have any with ugly rounded points like that. I have cues made in Taiwan with beautiful sharp pints, perfectly even, even some full splice. Really refined and beautiful next to that ugly garbage. You can, and many do, make sharp points with CNC.

The kind of features you talk about that you don't like can be found on cues made by great respected "biggest name" legendary "custom" makers, as well as various well respected more common makers, and "mass producers". It was the style of the times, like orange or green shag carpeting.

But the styles and design types you are talking about were definitely made, and were definitely available from Adam.

Do you actually want to see them? You will find things like full splice with veneers, real ebony, real wood dashed rings, and other such features you might not like.
Click to expand...
I can dig that style
 
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