ID Model and Age of Old Valley Coin-Op Pool Table

6/16/2021 12:31:47 AM

ID Model and Age of Old Valley Coin-Op Pool Table

I used to play a lot of bar pool, and I like the 7' bar pool tables. This was an impulse buy off CL. I paid the guy a few bucks to hold the pool table for me sight-unseen. It was $350, and he delivered it. I can clearly see it has damage, but was told the slate was good. I don't know how to properly check the slate or anything. We have a decent shop in town, I figured they could take a look.

I guess you can decode some information by the serial number, didn't think about that. Will have to check it in the morning. But, so far, it looks like a Valley Model 35 pool table in Walnut.

I'm just wondering if it's worth the money to restore it? I've build arcades before, but never opened up a pool table.

There seems to only be a few chips in the veneer and most of the poor condition, to me, looks like it could be taken care of with a good cleaning, new felt, new bumpers, and new pocket liners. The coin mechanism is gone, but if it's worth doing anything more with, I would like to get the right coin mechanism and have it work (if it's worth it). I can't get the door off because I don't have a key. It's either locked, or wedged in super hard. I don't want to just stick a pry bar on it.

What exactly do I have here? It looks like a standard Valley Cougar pool table, but it looks a lot older. I'm just curious what era this was from?

_{Source: imgur.com/gallery/Lcos5YC}

I am unable to find a serial number anywhere on it, but if it has one, this could be helpful:

valley-pool-table-serial-number-lookup.pdf

_{Source: valley-dynamoparts.com/docs/DateyourValleytable_006.pdf}

One thing I did notice, is on the cue ball return side, there is another pocket for a diamond-shaped pool ball rack, and another long pocket which looks like you would use for cue storage.

From all of the photos I've looked at online, I can't seem to find anything that matches the wood, those 2 extra pockets, the valley logo location, etc.

The coin op (was able to get the panel off as it wasn't locked) looks to be pre-1980s for sure. I would wager it is from somewhere between the 1960s and the 1970s. My trim, with the plugs to take the bumpers off, looks like it's old Bakelite, which would make me think 1960s again. Everything else I see is metal when I look at pictures online.

The pocket liners look to be original from day one, and do not look like any replacement liners I have seen online. In addition to that, and I don't know if this helps, the black leg trim skirt bit, one is peeling up, and I can see what looks like a red-colored wood under it (not the species "redwood", but rather, wood that has been colored red).

I've searched every pic on google, and can't find one that even has just those extra rack and cue pockets, let alone the whole combo. Maybe it's a mishmash of parts?

This one looks close, but it's not the same. The coin mechanism looks correct, but it has no slots on the cue ball return side. The coin mechanism would actually seem to be a spot-on match. Mine just has the mechanism taken out / bypassed. The location and "boxy" style look identical, but lacks the storage on the cue return side, and has the wrong logo.

Valley Pool Table for Sale

_{Source: richmondpooltablemovers.com/pool-tables-for-sale/listings/27/valley-pool-table-for-sale/}

This one also looks close. Whatever you would call that trim below the pocket liner—mine is black as well, but has no rivet-looking things.

_{Source: flickr.com/photos/valley-dynamo/32461923484/in/photostream/}

This one looks close as well. The coin mechanism looks like the one mine would have, the logo is correct, but again the trim with the plugs to pop the bumpers off, mine look like they are made from Bakelite, not metal.

_{Source: flickr.com/photos/valley-dynamo/42755115725/}

These are the best leads I have.

It's like mine is some mix of a Valley model 37 pool table and a Valley model 775 pool table or something.

I'm at more at a loss now than I was before, and I am just wanting to know what I can do with this Valley coin-op bar box pool table.

It is currently at another location, and I was smart to not take pics again. So I drew this up in MS paint. I can't seem to find anything in any photos that match. It doesn't look like someone just cut them in either. They look to be factory implemented.

I used some fancy MS paint skills to show what the other side looks like, since I can't seem to find a pic anywhere.

_{Source: imgur.com/a/EfxV9BQ}

Any help identifying the model and age of this pool table would be greatly appreciated.

StandardRickshaw

ID Model and Age of Old Valley Coin-Op Pool Table

Replies & Comments

billiardsforum on 6/16/2021 5:35:52 AM
I'm 99% sure it's from between 1950 and 1969.

The metal trim, I think, came in with the next generation of tables from Valley - during the period between 1970 and 1979.

These are the closest models I could find in my Valley pool table archive:

Valley Model 178815 Pool Table (7-foot model)

Valley #785A Pool Table

This one isn't exactly yours, but I suspect it has those three slots on the other end.

Valley #1877 Pool Table

Valley Coin-OP Pool Table Model #1875M

This one has that Formica finish that yours seems to have.

StandardRickshaw on 6/16/2021 10:11:20 AM
Thank you so much, that narrowed it down a lot.

I'm pretty sure the Valley model 178815 pool table is bang on. I'm basing that on the coin mechanism, where as the Valley 785A has lock box separate, mine does not. The inside looks identical to the 178815 model, but the 2nd lock only accessible after the first door is taken off. It is missing, just a hole, but the tag is still on though.

I am assuming that the slate is good, and I can re-felt. Am I out of luck for bumpers with this? They... work... and they aren't tattered up badly, but certainly stripped out. I'm guessing pocket liners are going to the be the same. At least I have them all. I will have to see what the best approach is to "restoring" them to an extent. The last piece would be the corner castings which I'm sure I won't find. Maybe some re-productions, or perhaps I'll just have to get creative.

This is my first pool table, I have a background in automotive, IT, arcades, etc. I think if all goes well I will just clean her up the best I can. Fortunately I have have a buddy who is very good with veneer work, so maybe we can shine some life back into it, and let the little knicks show proudly from the tables age.

I've cleaned up and restored some Bakelight parts in the past, but, when chunks are missing there's not much I can do. I guess if and when I hit that cross road I will see what I can come up with for a re-production part rather than just putting metal over it.

I have no idea what I got myself into. But I enjoy the fining / resorting as best I can, just as much as playing. Personally, I would rather have an older pool table with history over a brand new one.

Also, I still can't find a serial number anywhere. Is there paneling behind the viewing door that it would have been attached to? I constantly keep forgetting to take pics when I go and look at it. I've searched high and low, there is no serial number to be found anywhere. I wonder if I have to take the bottom cover off (which I have not done yet)? All I did was make sure that each pocket return functioned and that was the end of my test.

Thank you all again for all the help! And another thanks for Michael Gaughan from valley-dynamo.com who I had shared this post with and sent to via email.

jerryny71 on 2/14/2023 10:15:14 AM
I have one of these older Valley coin-operated pool tables.

It's serial number is #3362710 a1977

I can not find parts for it, so if you know where to get some, please let me know

(716) 560-8674

user1689435603 on 7/15/2023 11:40:04 AM
For anyone in this thread looking for parts for your 1970s Valley coin-op pool tables—you can find all the parts you need to fully restore your at Penguin-brand.com. They specialize in these types of pool tables and they can let you know how old yours is.

I have a 1974 valley bar-box pool table that I’ve had for about 3 years now. This is definitely not the way it looked when I first got it.

Hopefully this helps you all.