Help identify large set of pool balls . . . lawn pool?

[Rethunk]

A friend of mine recently purchased a set of unusually large pool balls from an antiques dealer. The only clue we have about the origin of these huge balls is a photo clipped from a newspaper.

I didn't have calipers, but by my estimate the balls were 3 inches in diameter and possibly a bit larger. In the image below you can see the balls on a 9' pool table. The cluster of 1, 2, and 7 balls in the lower right corner are standard pool balls.

Here's the picture of a woman playing "lawn pool" (?) using what qualifies as a fairly odd cue/mace/mallet (and no, he doesn't have one of those gadgets):

Does anyone know who manufactured these balls, what years they might have been made, or how many of these "lawn pool" tables may have existed?

 

[rackem]

Are you sure these are not Russian Pool balls that you have?

 

[jimmyg]

Sure, those are the balls that are used on 9' by 18' tables. :smile:

Jim

 

[Rockin' Robin]

I have a set or two of those balls, purchased from Crystal Leisure. Not really an antique item and came in a larger version Aramith style box. If i remember correctly, they were part of a set that you could play on carpet or grass or putting green. The pocket things were giant sized putting cups like the golfers use for practice. Somewhere in the pile, I have the original game, I believe it contained croquet mallets to strike the balls.

 

[Rethunk]

Are you sure these are not Russian Pool balls that you have?

They're a little bit bigger even than Russian pyramid balls.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_pyramid

Sure, those are the balls that are used on 9' by 18' tables

Crap, now I need yet another cue. Maybe a 40-ounce custom.

I have a set or two of those balls, purchased from Crystal Leisure. Not really an antique item and came in a larger version Aramith style box. If i remember correctly, they were part of a set that you could play on carpet or grass or putting green. The pocket things were giant sized putting cups like the golfers use for practice. Somewhere in the pile, I have the original game, I believe it contained croquet mallets to strike the balls.

Thanks. If you ever dig those up, please let me know.

I'll have my friend contact Crystal Leisure.

 

[RBLilly]

A friend of mine recently purchased a set of unusually large pool balls from an antiques dealer. The only clue we have about the origin of these huge balls is a photo clipped from a newspaper.

I didn't have calipers, but by my estimate the balls were 3 inches in diameter and possibly a bit larger. In the image below you can see the balls on a 9' pool table. The cluster of 1, 2, and 7 balls in the lower right corner are standard pool balls.

Here's the picture of a woman playing "lawn pool" (?) using what qualifies as a fairly odd cue/mace/mallet (and no, he doesn't have one of those gadgets):

Does anyone know who manufactured these balls, what years they might have been made, or how many of these "lawn pool" tables may have existed?

FYI pool originated from croquet a long time ago, and was only played by royalty.

When pool moved indoors and on tables they kept the green cloth/felt to simulate the grass.

 

[NewStroke]

Guys, please stop messing around. This is important stuff. When the balls come from SALUC they sometimes have little air pockets in them. When they come over on the boat to the US, the salt air, increased temp and increased pressure expand that air. This causes the balls to "inflate". A sign of Saluc's perfect measures is that all the balls in a set grow to the same size.

There is another rumor that one of the guys that carves the balls, carves them bigger because his hands are so large. It's possible, but I never met that man.

 

[Dead Money]

Neat! Buying a set of those would be easier than reworking my pockets so they are tighter!

 

[Rethunk]

Neat! Buying a set of those would be easier than reworking my pockets so they are tighter!

Banks are a bit of an issue since the balls hop when they hit a rail. I made my first attempted cross-side and then decided to quit while I was ahead: 1 for 1.

 

[PaulieB]

I gotta get a set of those and then replace a few of my opponent's balls when he goes to the bathroom!

 

[silvr rcr]

sounds about like the cue ball on the vintage gandy out at Bob Meucci's place!
it was rather entertaining hitting that thing around, and yes they do tend to bounce funny when banking/kicking.
they respond differently to draw and follow also.