Questions about buying antique table

cuekev

cuekev

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Silver Member
Hello,

I am thinking of buying a turn of the century B.A. Stevens table. It is hard to find any info on this company. Could someone help fill me in? It appears to be constructed similar to a Brunswick of the same time period. Any tips on what to look for when purchasing an antique table? Is there an easy way to check the rails? There must be someone on this forum that makes a living buying and selling used tables that could give me some tips.

Thanks in advance,

Kevin
 
Kevin, Where did you find a BA Stevens table? They were almost like a vending company of today. I think they started in the late 1800's servicing bars and taverns. I don't know if they shut down before or after the depression but they were very nice tables. Some I think were actually manufactured by Brunswick but branded with the BA Stevens name. I've seen a couple and they have been really ornate and all were quarter sawn oak. Do you have pics?
 
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Poolschool,

I am told that it is a Brunswick table sold thru the BA Stevens catalog from 1903 to 1920. It sounds like it is a 8' pro. He thinks it is a 1913 model.

So BA Stevens did sell Brunswick tables? Is there anything to look out for in these older tables? Are there any deal killers with them other than bad or cracked slate?

I have 2 pix. How do you attach or insert them?

Thanks for your help

Kevin
 
Here are the pix.
 

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Whoever owned that table probablly had it converted from snooker or carom into american pool. The pockets,aprons, slate and possibly the rails have been changed/modified to accept the #6 iron or century pocket that was common on your table. Bug infestation is one of the biggest problems buyers often overlook. These tables sat on dirt a lot of the time or in homes/business' that werent bug/termite free... Your right another common problem is the slate. It looks to me as if the slate was replaced. Maybe not though... Someone could have built the aprons and attached it to the original rail to cover the bolts and rosettes. It looks to me like a Brunswick Wellington. I've refinished about a dozen of these over the years. Have your guy measure from the middle of one diamond to the middle of the next. Should be 11.5" if its an 8' Pro.

In those days there was no such thing as an 8' home or 44"x88" table. It was always 46x92
 
Poolschool,

Wow! I'm impressed. I noticed in the Brunswick gallery that some tables do have the rail bolts covered. Is it possible that this is one of those tables? I might go take a look at it tomorrow and take more pictures. I'll take a few of the rails and corners from underneath. I wasn't thinking about bugs being from Michigan. We have termites and ants but not like down south.

I liked the style and the size so I am a little disappointed.

Thanks again,

Kevin
 
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