ID Jungblut or Strahle Antique Pool Table?

3/14/2019 11:35:20 AM

ID Jungblut or Strahle Antique Pool Table?

I just recently acquired this pool table and was told it was a Brunswick from around 1860.

The name plate has been lost over the years. One thing we think we know is that it was cut down from a 5x10 to LadyPro 4x8 by Brunswick Balke Collender; there is large hand writing on the bottom of one marble slab that says the company's name and Los Angeles.

I had someone tell me it looks more like an antique August Jungblut or Jacob Strahle pool table; Indeed I found a Jacob Strahle leg that looks identical to mine (see below).

Can anyone help me identify this antique pool table?

This is the Jacob Strahle pooltable I found that seems to have identical legs as mine.

PicsArt_03-14-11.42.19.jpg

heydrkeith

ID Jungblut or Strahle Antique Pool Table?

Replies & Comments

billiardsforum on 3/15/2019 1:41:19 AM
I really don't think it is a Brunswick Balke Collender pool table.

It may be helpful if you could show us photos the hand-writing you spoke of.

Those legs, while similar, aren't identical. There are numerous differences when comparing closely. In the Buffalo Billiards photo, I somewhat question whether those legs are even the original legs for that table. Antique pool tables with that style of marquetry typically had legs with multiple flat faces - in which more matching marquetry was present. Those legs definitely look out of place on that particular pool table. I am not 100% sure either way though. Just a thought.

My first thought when I looked at the photos was that it was a "Frankenstein pool table" (i.e. patched together from parts sourced off of various old pool table models).

The rail bolts are most certainly not original.

Here is what I recommend:
1. Post some photos of the hand-writing you mentioned so we can get a look at that.
2. Reach out to Ken Hash at Classic Billiards. He's a nice guy and always willing to give advice where he can. He is the guy who would know about this pool table, if anyone. Call Ken at (410) 256-8388

heydrkeith on 3/18/2019 2:31:51 PM
Thanks for your reply and for the information.

Although you said the legs on the pool table may not be original, I do believe that my legs are basically identical to those legs. See a better picture of my table's leg in the attached photo. The upper one as seen in better light.

here are pictures of the writing on the marble slabs. you cannot read what it says on the middle slab, but I believe it may say the same name R. C. Pierson.

... and a different angle on the table leg:

billiardsforum on 3/18/2019 2:49:55 PM
Very interesting. I can see now what you mean about the legs. I'm thinking you might be correct on that.

I'll be interested to hear what, if anything, Ken has to say about the table. Have you had a chance to contact him?

heydrkeith on 5/29/2019 1:11:56 PM
Hello friends, look what I found!

You were right it is a Strahle pool table, formerly 10'5" x 5'7" carom billiards table converted to pocket billiards; and cut down by Brunswick Balke and Collender.

Thanks!
Dr. Keith

billiardsforum on 5/29/2019 2:40:58 PM
That's great! Glad you got a positive ID on the pool table.

Thanks for sharing such a great find.

heydrkeith on 5/30/2019 5:23:50 PM
Does anyone know when Brunswick Balke Collender Co. changed from roll-in to drop-in pockets? When the table was cut down by Brunswick, they incorporated #4 irons and roll-in pockets.

Harvey Rutledge on 4/23/2021 1:07:04 PM
These are from the Jacob Strahle monthly newsletter, "Billiard Echo" March 1872.

billiardsforum on 1/11/2022 2:12:57 AM
@heydrkeith - I don't think there was a specific era or time period in which they "changed from roll-in to drop-in style slate shelves.

I researched this a bit more recently, and posted my findings here:

"Roll-In" vs. "Drop-In" Pockets on a Pool Table

The consensus was that the easier "roll-in" beveled slate shelf was for when someone needed an easier-playing pool table. This would either be for a recreational home billiard room, or for a pool hall that charged "by the rack" and wanted their games to finish more quickly.