Table ID

R

rocketman

Registered
I was wondering if anyone could help me identify a table that has been in my parents basement for years. I know it needs restored, and once I get a house I can fit it in that is one of the first things on my list of things to do.

I have not been able to measure the table since there is stuff on top of it right now and the rails and felt are not on the table either right now. How would I measure this table (slate only) to determine table size? Edge of slate to edge of slate or some other way?

The table uses 4 peices of slate which I know is not entirely common any more and I have been told that the table came out of a bar in chigaco, but that is just a family story I have been told and have no way to verify it.

I have attached a picture of the inlay on the side of the table in the hopes that maybe someone has seen a table like this before.
 

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I do have more pictures of the table, I am somewhat hessitant to post them, because I am embarrased to show the tables current condition.

This table has been in our family for quite some time and it means a lot to me. I have been playing now for about 15 years on and off and every time I play a game at a pool hall or bar, I think about that table and how badly it needs help. Hopefully one of you can help me identify it.

If you do want more pictures let me know so I can resize them and get them uploaded.
 
Being in 4 peices it probably is a snooker table. If not a Carom.

The best way to measure the size is to look at the screw holes on a peice of slate. Measue from screw hole to screw hole across the slate (like you would measure from Side pocket to Side Pocket).

If it is 44" or so it's an 8' table. 46" it's an 8' Pro. 50" a 9'. 56" a 10' Snooker or Carom. 62" a 12' Snooker.

Also do the rails on the table bolt to the side of the slate compared to through it from the top?
 
I think the rails bolt in through the slate but I am not certain. I will have my dad look at it at some point and also try to get a measurement on it.

The rails are not currently configured to be a snooker table. They have standard angle cut corners on them. The rails are covered right now as well so I guess they could have been configured that way at some point.

I am not familiar with carom tables and I will have to look that up. Thanks for the info.

Rick
 
old stuff

http://www.billiardrestoration.com/e_brunswick_nonpareil.htm
Does the table look something like this? Please DO post more pictures. As far as the size, on the top of each rail are either three dots or three diamonds. On center, measure from one diamond or dot to the next on the same rail. 11" = 44x88(8') 11 1/2" = 46x92(8' oversize) 12 1/2" = 50x100(9')
Many standard pool tables from the late 1800s had four pieces of slate. Do the pockets bolt on top of the rail or into the sides of the rail?
 
more pictures

here are some more pictures of the table as requested. I know the condition it is in is a shame, but I have no way of changine it at the moment.
 

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more picures

Here are more.
 

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Well it's not a Carom for sure. Carom tables don't have pockets.

It looks to be a T-rail. Or if you look at the rail sideways it makes a T. Hoever I can't really tell. The slate doesn't look backed either. Which most T-rails I've delt with have backed slate. And the wood inserts on the corner pockets makes me still want to think it's a T-rail. I know really old T-rail tables have the wooden inserts on the inside of the slate pockets.

Now if you see holes going sideways into the slate then it is a T-rail.

Honestly I'm not sure.
 
The rails definetly bolt through the side and you can surely rule out the nonpariel. Not sure on the exact model or age but you have a nice table with alot of potential there, somewhere? That slate is massive... Smitty there is backing on the slate, its thicker than the slate itself.
 
Brunswick?

The emblem in your first pic says "J.B"

Brunswick is J.M. Brunswick, maybe?

See if you can find your table here.
 
Well It would definately make sense if it was a Brunswick table as the stories I have heard of it is that it came out of a bar in downtown chicago. Brunswick had sales offices open in chicago as of 1848. They also changed to the Brunswick-Balke company in 1873 so my guess is that would put the table somewhere between 1845 and 1873 if it is indeed a Brunswick table.

The slate does have a bed under it that I can tell you for sure. It is a T-Rail and they do bolt into the side of the slate. The diamonds are spaced at 12.5" on the rail putting it at a 9' table.

I also found out where my parents got the table (also a relative) and I am trying to get ahold of them to find out what they know about it.
 
Is there a nameplate on one of the end rails? Or was there? If so what shape is it? Can you take a picture? I think your assumption on the date is close. I would guess 1870's by the inlay work. I recently acquired and sold a 1874 Nonpareil and the marquetry is very similar. Has the inlay or table been painted?
 
I am working on getting some more pictures and hopefully finding the rest of the rails. If that time frame is correct, then I also need to look for the skirts and see if we still have them. Unfortunately the table is two hours away from me so I am having to have my father look at things for me.

He did get a chance to measure the slates today as well. the middle slates are each 29" wide and the outer two slates are 23" wide. His best measurement on the width of the table was 54" so the 50x100 playing area seems to be about right.

As for the table being painted, As far as I know it never has been. The story I have been told (don't know if ts true or not) is that it was in a bar in downtown chicago and survived the great chicago fire (ca. 1871). If it did survive the fire, I would imagine that the finish would be a little darker than usual.

My father made a pretty big effort to get the table put together when he got the table. He had new pockets made for it, had the pocket wood contours recreated and had the rails recovered (and possibly re-rubbered but I am not sure.)

Anyway this table has gotten me really curious so I am trying my best to figure out what it is. I also have an e-mail out to my relative that gave the table to us so hopefully they will have some more bonafide history on it.

Thanks for all the help and if I get any more info I will be sure to post it up.
 
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Thank you for the inquiry. What you have there is an early version of a Nonpareil made by The J.M. Brunswick & Balke Company. The background wood is rosewood with birds-eye maple inlays. If you have any further questions, let me know. Thank you for visiting my web site!
Click to expand...

Got that in an e-mail today from the guys at billiardrestoration.com. Amazingly enough, they are only about 3 hours from where the table is at. Kinda interesting that someone so knowledgeable is so close.

Still working on the history of where it came from, but it helps that I know what it is now.
 
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