Date and Model of a Palmer Cue

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11/27/2023 9:38:19 PM

Date and Model of a Palmer Cue

For once I actually know what it is... I know this because there was an oval gold foil sticker that looked like it was on the cue but had fallen off in the case!

Considering the possible age of the cue it is in amazing shape, it's unrestored and these photos were shot right out of the shipping box. It has the weird screw-on ferrules that early Palmer cues were known for, and lucky for me it came with four of them already shaped for the warped shaft!

But I suck at trying to figure out what is a 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or even Pre-Catalog cue.

Anything you can provide would be appreciated.

• Pool Cue Identification
• Pool Cues

Date and Model of a Palmer Cue

Replies & Comments

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1. billiardsforum on 11/28/2023 6:20:25 PM

   It appears to be a Palmer Model "A" pool cue from the 2nd catalog.

   Check this out—a small collection of Palmer Second Catalog Model A Cues from another member, Chopdoc

   From the catalog:

   Model A - PALMER CUSTOM CUE

   A fine, inexpensive cue featuring inlaid four-prong construction, hand fitted polished brass joint with black and white collars,dacron wrapping in your choice of 10 colors or color combinations, professional taper shaft with either screw on or permanent type ferrule fitted with either Champion or Blue Diamond tips.

   From the "palmercollector" archives:

   A variety of woods were used for the handle section of the splice. If you find one where the points are pretty even, it is a rare find and was probably made for a select order or a special player. Notice that even though Palmer's new joint at the time was primarily nickel-silver, they were still using brass for many cues.

   These cues were inexpensive. The typical Palmer Model A cue sold for about $50. Today these cues bring in from $400 to $700 or more based on condition. They played solid and were in demand by players. Hustlers and road agents wanted them for the tough pool rooms and bars, where they might have to leave their cue on the table and escape through the bathroom window.

   Here's the cue in the 2nd Palmer Cue catalog:

   

2. KCCC on 11/28/2023 7:25:31 PM

   What was the difference between a Model A and Model B?

3. billiardsforum on 11/28/2023 9:43:25 PM

   In the Palmer Model "B" cue, the bottom-most ring is a windowed one.

   Here's a better example of the two:

   

4. KCCC on 11/28/2023 10:11:21 PM

   That was perfect, thank you!

   One last thing, what were the years the 2nd catalog Palmer cues were made, so I have a range?

5. billiardsforum on 11/29/2023 6:43:20 AM

   I don't know the exact year, but here's what the Blue Book of Pool Cues, 3rd edition says:

   The first Palmer catalog was introduced in 1965...
   ...
   ... and within a few years, a new catalog was introduced.

   Later in the Blue Book Palmer Cues section, it says:

   Palmer's second catalog, from the early 1970s...

   Almost all early 1970 Palmers had joint collars of white plastic or pearlized plastic. Later examples have rubber bumpers.

   That's everything I know!

   You found a gem of a Palmer Model "A" cue I would say. It appears to be in great shape—a nice find for sure!

6. KCCC on 11/29/2023 9:21:22 AM

   This was incredibly helpful, you literally sit on the best repository of pool cue knowledge I know of.

Date and Model of a Palmer Cue

• Title: Date and Model of a Palmer Cue
• Author: KCCC
• Published: 11/27/2023 9:38:19 PM
• Last Updated: 11/28/2023 5:59:39 PM
• Last Updated By: billiardsforum (Billiards Forum)