Balabushka, Burton Spain, or Helmstetter Pool Cue?

8/25/2011 1:09:53 AM

Balabushka, Burton Spain, or Helmstetter Pool Cue?

I got this cue around 1975 from a gal whose husband left it behind when he took off for parts unknown. While it is a solid nice hitting cue, I never really liked it a whole lot as the butt was fatter than I liked. I gave the cue to my brother who has used it off and on all these years. Recently while engaged in a bit of sibling rivalry on the table,and jawing about the "old days" we got to wondering what the cue actually was. Originally, I had always thought it was an Adams cue made by Richard Helmstetter since the joint was compatible with other Adams cues. Now I am not so sure.

If any of you are familiar with this model or perhaps have a book that shows it, I would sure appreciate any information you have to share. As I mentioned before, it is a fatter than usual butt - it is 1 1/4" diameter at the bottom of the wrap and 1 1/16" at the top. The points are rosewood I believe, with green-orange-green-black banding. The spot and the ring inlays are mother of pearl (plastic?) and the collar and butt rings seem to be aluminum and black plastic. The wrap is leather calfskin I think.

Wyoming_Slick

Balabushka, Burton Spain, or Helmstetter Pool Cue?

Replies & Comments

Mark Bellamy on 9/2/2017 2:26:06 AM
What would you take for these cues? I pay in cash or PayPal.

Mark Bellamy on 9/28/2017 3:20:03 PM
Still interested. Would like to purchase this cue from you.

Balabushka, Burton Spain, or Helmstetter Pool Cue?

Title: Balabushka, Burton Spain, or Helmstetter Pool Cue?
Author: Wyoming_Slick (John Herold)
Published: 8/25/2011 1:09:53 AM
Last Updated: 9/4/2017 3:40:46 PM
Last Updated By: billiardsforum (Billiards Forum)