Help with identifying unusual snooker cue ( take a look )

[snooker147snooker147]

hi there I'm new to the forum and this is one of my first post but i have been following for quite some time now. (Have to post this in the newbies section because of 10 post rule, but hopefully someone can help me)

the cue in question has been in my possession for a couple of months now, when i received it, the cue was in a state and needed a complete refinish. while refinishing i was very unsure of what the shaft was made from, as well as what the butts side alternating main splices are made from, its clear that the top and bottom splices are ebony. Im not 100% sure but to the best of my knowledge the shaft could be balsa wood, which is unusual to say the least, while I've looked on the internet and i think the butts alternating side splices could be made from Tornillo wood, which you also don't see around much. Im hoping a member on here could identify the woods as Im not 100% sure on what my research is telling me.

Im also wondering who the maker of the cue is and how old the cue is ?

The previous owner said he never purchased the cue from new, but when he bought it, it still never had a makers name on it. i do doubt that the cue was made without a makers name. he also told me he done a few alterations to the cue like getting the cue ferruled, sliming down the usual large butts on old cues and getting a john parris sd joint fitted into the butt. all this done for playing purposes. there is a weight stamp on the cue which is 16, I understand some people can identify some cues by the weight stamp, so if anyone with this kind of expertise could take a look it's much appreciated .

The spec of the cue now is :
58 inch long
18.5 balance point
stamped 16 but now do to alterations weighs 15 oz
9.5 mm top size
31 mm butt size
before alterations were done the cue original spec must have been very different.

I've checked around on the internet and can't seem to find another cue like it, so Im guessing it could be quite rare.
I hope I've attached the pictures ok, if so take a look and i hope someone's got some info about it.

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/...ps83dc04d6.jpg

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/...psb705f2d4.jpg

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/...ps816d4d7b.jpg

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5205f213.jpg

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5cb493fa.jpg

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/...psbc9272ab.jpg

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/...psc602cb68.jpg

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/...psa16d891b.jpg

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/...ps0274f82b.jpg

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/...ps2174d6b8.jpg

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/...psf3b57714.jpg

[bagpiper13579]

shaft looks like maple or hornwood, if that helps. if the sd joint wasnt there, i would probably guess it's either old or from a lesser-known maker. based on the state you found it in, probably old.

[old school]

Both Riley ( 1900-1940s) and Peradon ( 1940s-1950s) used a single number weight stamp.Barracuda used a single number weight stamp as well , but that was more recent and I think your cue is older.The butt could be Ebony & Rosewood or Ebony & Padauk .There were a few makers using this style of butt including Thurstons , Hixons , Peradon etc .Perhaps Jim or Mike might like to shed some more light on the subject.As to the shaft Hornbeam is a possibility , but I cant say without better j.pegs ( the colour isnt quite right).In any case you have a cue that is probably at least 65 years old and if its a player , keep it and cherish it.

[Stupree]

Help with identifying unusual snooker cue ( take a look )

Shaft looks like it could be a very light variety of hickory. How smooth is it?

[jrc750]

Some info on weight stamps here http://www.thecuecollector.com/WeightStamps.html
I think it could be a hornbeam shaft (i don't think your suggestion of balsa wood would work lol )
Looks like a very nice cue that