Willie Hoppe Professional Antique Pool/Billiard Cue with Vintage Tiger striped Shag Hard Case
This cue has a firm, solid hit with a soft sound when the tip hits the ball. There are 2 shafts, one original and an extra shaft made by Herman Rambow to fit this cue. All in all, this is a player-collector dream package, looks great, plays great. A classic cue, with 2 shafts, in a fantastic vintage case.
The man who originally owned this cue played carom billiards with champions of the sport for many years in Springfield, Illinois in the 1960's and 70's and had all of his extra shafts made by Mr. Rambow. He had several cues and many shafts.
Weight: 19 ounce
Wood: Rosewood buttsleeve and interior point.
Points: Points are outlined by 4 veneers: dark brown, light brown, reddish brown, natural maple. Above the wrap, the points are very sharp, and lengths as follows: 5 13/16", 5 7/8", 6", 6 1/8"
Length: 56 15/16” with long shaft, 55.5" with shorter shaft. Butt is 28" from collar to buttplate. Shafts are 28 15/16" and 27.5" long.
Make and age: Brunswick approx. 1940-1952.
Tips: new Elk Master on shorter original shaft with white fiber ferrule, new Triangle on longer shaft on I. ferrule
Condition: Excellent used condition. Veneers are tight, leather handle has dents from years of play, but no scratches or tears. The leather has a satiny sheen from years of use. The butt plate and white I. ring are original as seen in the catalog. The rosewood on the butt sleeve has "natural distressing", lots of little dings and dents that occur over time. The blue label has some nicks in it but is completely readable, "Brunswick Willie Hoppe Professional Cue The Brunswick Ba*** Collend*r Co. Reg.U.S. Pat. Off."
The engraved Willie Hoppe signature is very dark and clean, about an inch above the points, on an angle. The number 19 is engraved about 2 " below the black joint ring.
Shafts: Piloted with wood sleeve surrounding 5/16" x 14 thread lug.
The shorter shaft is the original, but has a replaced fiber ferrule, probably the reason it is a little short. It is 12.5mm tapering to 13mm at about 8". When attached to the butt and rolled, about the top 4" stays on the table and due to the taper the middle 18" does not touch the table when rolled. There is about 1/16" deflection with a slight wobble for the middle 18".
The longer shaft was made in Chicago by Herman Rambow and is all original except for a new tip. It is a constant 13mm for about 12" and 13.5mm at 14". The length of the taper keeps the middle 20" from touching the cloth when rolled, There is very little wobble in this shaft.
Case: Briefcase style hard case with spaces to hold 2 shafts and 1 butt. The exterior is black vinyl textured to look like leather. There is a piece top-stitched on the lid. The brass latches are locking, and there are 2 keys included. The latches have a side button and a very quick release with a neat, solid sounding "thunk". The hinges are fancy big brass pieces and allow the case to open flat. The interior is a wild tiger-striped shag or mohair material, very 60's. The corners have had some wear and the vinyl is worn away at all of the corners. However it is still a very functional (and funky) 60's vintage case.
Good luck bidding on this classic package.
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