Identifying GC Model Number
I know a little about I's, II's, and III's. Here's what I think about the model differences:
I's were produced from 1961 to 1974.
II's from 1974 to 1976.
III's from 1976 till introduction of IV's (not sure of that date, 1997 maybe?)
Non adjustable feet were used the first year of so of GCI production. By 1963, the installation manual shows adjustable feet.
Castings on GC I's were aluminum. It usually ages to a dull gray finish.
Castings on GCIII's were a copper finish.
Apron and pedestal color scheme on GCI's and II's was a lacquer paint in combinations of pastels such as blue, orange, gold and off-white. III's were available in stain finish or black finish on aprons and pedestals.
Rail caps were rosewood formica on all I's and II's. IV's and possibly late III's had rosewood or black finish formica. IV's offered more casting finishes, such as nickel, chrome, and gold.
Slates were pinned on all I's, II's, and very early III's.
Rail attachment to slate: Early I's had figure 8 plates. Later I's used nut plates milled into rails. These are accessible only by removing the cushion from the subrail. II's and III's had nut plates milled into rails.
Apron attachment to rails: I's and II"s used a male/female clip system. Aprons had brackets in all four corners. Plastic sub-aprons were used to hide the frame and also to attach aprons to frame. III"s no longer used the male/female clips, and instead, the aprons bolted to the underside of the rails.
Main frame design: I's, II's, and III's were essentially the same. The cross frame members sat between the ends of the long frame members. GC IV's had a modification wherein in the long frame member was shortened to allow the cross frame members to overlap the ends of the long frame. That is thought to be not as strong as the previous models.
It is thought that Bruswick used remaining inventory parts from previous models as they intoduced newer models. Thus, an early GCIII may have a few GCII parts.
Also, mechanics and owners replace parts as needed over the life of a table. In those cases, it is difficult to ID an older table.
If you are lucky enough to know the original purchase date, or the original color scheme, that is a big help in identifying the model number.
Hope this helps the OP. All of this information I either got from this forum or learned directly from owning some older Gold Crowns. If any of it is in error, or incomplete feel free to comment.:smile:
jfe
