I just sent you an email... it's been a long day. Here is a quick recap...
If it was finished later on as an old blank (which is unlikely but not impossible), it would have been at least a decade ago and was sold as a Limited or Prototype cue but never documented.If it were more modern, the inlays would most likely be tighter.
My guess... it came through Viking as a repair. We can no longer get the old style bumpers... the original company that supplied them went out of business long ago and demand isn't high enough at this point to make it cost effective to have someone retool.
The pin changeover would be very simple and the hole for the bumper (also an easy fix) would have been drilled and tapped for the newer style bumper. In fact, the cue very well might be adapted for the stackable, interchangeable weight system as well. That being said, we might have refinished the cue and the sanding process could have taken the engraving off-if there was one. In truth, the most expensive part of the repair would have singularly been putting the "Viking" back on. But... I noticed that the catalog picture is missing the "Viking" as well. The difference in color of the shaft rings and forearm rings leads me to believe in the refinish as well. The new UV doesn't "yellow" like the old varnishes.
I think that you are right on with the ring being replaced. Like I said before, it would be a cost issue. To make a rod of the correct spacing would be pretty expensive... so it would be the best option for someone to have used an available, similar rod. I doubt that we would have done this particular work... mostly because we would have sent it through the booth with the butt and the colors of the vintage rings would match. We would and very often fit other brands of shafts to our butts. Like I said in an earlier message, we can make the rod and refit everything to a brand new shaft for you if you would like.
This is just my best guess...
Best Regards
