Very tired Burwat champion

[cocked hat]

Hi all,
A pal of mine has just scrounged an old champion from a house that he was working at and brought it round to me to 'do up'!
The cue seems to be in original condition but has suffered through neglect.The shaft has some cuts in it,it looks as though it has been used for something not connected with a green table.One of the splices has started to split and the butt rattles a little as though through a loose weight.
The shaft is quite thick,probably about 11mm at the ferrule,the butt is hand spliced in two colours over macassar ebony(I think).

So,who can advise me?Is it worth anything?Would I be adding value by stripping(the butt is lacquered) and re-finishing,or would it be best to leave it as it is?Has anyone any idea what one of these cues might be worth?

Any advice would be appreciated,cheers.

[trevs1]

The cue sounds salvageable, but, the big worry is the shaft 'with cuts?' in it.

The weights on Burwat Champion cues can be in two places, and in one place can often be seen if you hold them up to the light and look down the length of the cue. At about the point where the ebony splices meet at the base of the splice fingers, there will occasionally be visible 'LUMP' on two opposite sides of the cue. This is due to the weight being fitted (normally in two round plugs of approx 15mm diameter) through the sides of the cue, before the last set of ebony splices are bonded onto the cue.

Over a great deal of time, (depending on how the cue is looked after) these weights can move, along with the movement of the timber of the cue, and, cause a swelling appearance to this section of the cue butt. As I said, if you hold it up to the light in the right way, you might be able to see these lumps or swellings.

If this has happened to your cue, it can be repaired, but is something I'd need to see to be able to say confidently. Otherwise, if the cue can afford to be slightly reduced in thickness through the shaft to remove any blemishes (I mean a tiny amount), whether it needs a ferrule replacing, or the cue straightening or re-finishing, are all secondary to the name plate being in good original condition.

If the plate is as original, and the rest can be done, it's worth something yes. not a fortune, but a reasonable price.

[garysnooker]

Burwat Champion

i have a maple Burwat Champion this swelling of the splices has happen to my cue is there anythink i can do to slow dwon the swelling i understand there are 3 addition
i have seen all 3 but none of them have a fromt spline lilke mine

[cocked hat]

Thanks Trevs,interesting post.
I've checked against the light and there is no sign of anything wrong there,the rattle I suspect is coming from a plug centrally mounted in the base of the butt.Had they also used to be mounted there?If so,presumably it could be drilled out and re-fitted.
The 'cuts' are not too deep,they may have been as a result of keeping it in one of those spring wall clips without the rollers(or in the greenhouse).I'll try to post a pic if I can.

Maple Burwats are valuable aren't they Gary?

[cocked hat]

burwat pics

I've managed to take a couple of pictures of this weapon,great tip on it,last changed in an Anderson shelter I think.

[ADR147]

nice cue that - not difficult to refinish it. i will give you £50 for it

[Qubit]

I agree, still a good cue in there Looks like a nice bit of Macassar ebony.

[cocked hat]

Thanks for the advice and offer ADR.I have had another offer by PM but as I said there I'll have to get back to the guy and see what he says.
It would at least need the weight sorting for it to play well.

[trevs1]

Cocked Hat,

What kind of money are you getting offered...???

If the cue was in good condition, I'd expect it to fetch between £180 to £300, with closer to the upper mark being more likely. Depending on who was looking at buying it obviously.

[cocked hat]

Hi Trevs,
I'm not getting those sort of offers but in fairness this cue needs a fair bit of tlc to make it back to what Mr Burroughs intended.

[gloveman]

burwat champion cue.

this cue looks like it has a lot of potential. andrew/ trev which edition do you think it is?

[ADR147]

i think trevs value is a bit strong in the current climate - in that condition just now it should fetch £120-£180. A mint condition one has a ceiling of about £250.

[ADR147]

this cue looks like it has a lot of potential. andrew/ trev which edition do you think it is?

third maybe.

[bongo]

That cue looks like a beauty, I wouldn't say the tips a beauty though!

[craigslater]

@ Garysnooker and cocked hat

Im interested in both burwats you have, if you are thinking of selling please PM me or email me at my own email address therocket2005 (at) aol (dot) com

Thanks

Craig