Retored Brunswick Anniversary and Centennial tables

M

MrWrestlingII

Registered
I'm looking for advice and pricing guidlines on restored Brunswick Anniversary and Centennial tables.
What are the differences between these two tables? I see that the Anniversary was marketed as a budget table while the Centennial was top of the line.
Any opinions/advice I could get on these tables would be appriciated.
 
MrWrestlingII said:
I'm looking for advice and pricing guidlines on restored Brunswick Anniversary and Centennial tables.
What are the differences between these two tables? I see that the Anniversary was marketed as a budget table while the Centennial was top of the line.
Any opinions/advice I could get on these tables would be appriciated.
Click to expand...

Tho it is true Cent was top of the line, calling an Anniversary
a "budget" table is sorta like calling a Ferrari a 'compact' car.

Are you sure you aren't thinking of the Sport King or Sportsman?

The Centennial is MUCH more rare - could run as high as
$10k from a dealer - you might get more info from the
'Talk to a Mechanic' forum.

Structurally, the tables are virtually identical.
Both have the frame that was later to be used on the Gold Crown.

Other difs are mostly cosmetic - pedestals of the Cent are flatter,
Annv, more oval - Cent sides are metal - Anv, wood.

The rail caps(tops) of the Aniv after the first few<?> years were
Formica, Cent, Rosewood was standard.

FWIW - in Mosconi's 'little red book' the table in the photos
is a Centennial.

PS - I have a copy of the 1950 Bruns catalog.
You can PM me if you want more info

Dale Pierce
 
Last edited:
There were some Centinnals on ebay from York, Pa, that were not that expensive, were they the real deal, I think they were only a few thousand.
 
Sorry if I offended anyone with the budget remark. I got that from the Brunswick literature:
"With its new convenience features, the Anniversary raises standards of value for lower priced tables."
I'm looking at an Anniversary and didn't understand the statement in Brunswicks literature.
Any ideas on what a restored table is worth.... ballpark.
 
Dana Bufalo said:
Billiard Restoration Service of Clay Center, KS has a great website with pics and information on both the Brunswick Anniversary and Centennial.

The Brunswick Anniversary
http://www.billiardrestoration.com/Tables/anniversary.htm


The Brunswick Centennial
http://www.billiardrestoration.com/Tables/centennial.htm
Click to expand...


thank you !!!! the Anniversary is my favorite, i awalys get those to tables mixed up, i played on one that was in bad shape in a very old bar/2 table room in Lodi years ago. I'd love to own one in mint condition. thank you again
 
I've got an Anniversary and wouldn't trade it for a Centennial. Have played on both. If you can get an Anniversary with the rosewood rails, I think you would be more pleased with it than a Centennial. The Centennial looks great, but having played on a few, because of the aluminum skirts, you get a 'bonging' sound while playing, while the Anniversary with the stained poplar skirts are much quieter. The slate is the same and both are very structurally sound. Recently saw an Anniversary in good condition go for $3800 on ebay. There is also a restored anniversary on ebay with a starting bid of $6500. I picked up mine in 'used' condition for $2000, spent around $1500 and a lot of hard work bringing it back to near new, and have never had a regret about it. Of course, these are just my humble opinions.
 
I also like the look of the Anniverary over the Centennial. The one currently on Ebay is only a couple hours away from me and it sounds like he has a few others in restoration. If I get the chance I am going to make the trip up there to take a look. Is there any advantage of rosewood rails over walnut or is it personnal preference?

Thanks for the help
 
I got one

MrWrestlingII said:
I also like the look of the Anniverary over the Centennial. The one currently on Ebay is only a couple hours away from me and it sounds like he has a few others in restoration. If I get the chance I am going to make the trip up there to take a look. Is there any advantage of rosewood rails over walnut or is it personnal preference?

Thanks for the help
Click to expand...


I have a restored Anniversary 4 1/2 x 9 with ball returns (a bonus feature).
It has been redone in black with black railtops, I had it on ebay for 4k but it didnt sell. I have photos of it and would consider a lower price. The side panels are all perfect (a rare feature in Anniversary's). PM or email me at fbentivegna@sbcglobal.net

the Beard
 
I don't know that any of the Anniversaries actually had walnut rails. Most were made with 'selected' hardwoods and stained to a walnut finish. After a couple of years, when these tables began to populate pool halls and bars, they went to a formica railtop to minimize damage from casual players and to help prevent cigarette burns to the railtops. Back before smoking had a bad name, a lot of players would lay their lit cigarette on the rail while they shot. My table has the ball return system also, and there is one chute that has a burn area where a cigarette obviously fell into one of the pockets and lay in the ball return while it burned. Had to sand that area smooth.

I just have a preference for the rosewood because of its grain and beauty, at least in my eyes. You can see a picture of my table if you do a search in the cue gallery for posts by simmer1. It's a 4 1/2 X 9, with ball return, and plays like a dream.
 
Walnut Anniversary

I happen to know someone restoring an early anniversary table with walnut rails. I actually spent a good bit of time sanding on them. He also has a newer one that has the formica rails that is kind of a cherry finish and that is a beauty too. They are by far my favorite table and have been since I first saw one at Mark Kulungian's room Pool Table Magic. He now has his two Anniversary tables set up in a private room with antique cues and displays, very nice.
 
My preference is the Anniversary, but I doubt you would be disappointed with either.

It's not a great picture, but you can see my Anniversary in my avatar pic. It was restored by Billiard Restoration Service, mentioned above. I love it.
 
sjb said:
My preference is the Anniversary, but I doubt you would be disappointed with either.

It's not a great picture, but you can see my Anniversary in my avatar pic. It was restored by Billiard Restoration Service, mentioned above. I love it.
Click to expand...


I think the Annv is the coolest table on the planet. Just beautiful! The Cent is second. My Diamond Pro is third... in looks that is.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top