Old Antique Brunswick Pool Table Model

2/7/2019 7:12:28 PM

Old Antique Brunswick Pool Table Model

Hoping for information about this table that was in the basement of a house I recently bought.

It appears to be be an old antique Brunswick pool table. It is a bit beat up.

Is it worth restoring or just have fun with it as is?

Carrie P W

Old Antique Brunswick Pool Table Model

Replies & Comments

billiardsforum on 2/8/2019 3:54:10 AM
Great looking antique pool table. Let's get it identified first.

Yes, it does have characteristics of a number of antique Brunswick Balke Collender pool table models, but we're going to need more photos to properly identify it.

Take photos from all sides and angles. Also from the top, and also of any plates, markings, or other features.

Carrie P W on 2/8/2019 5:04:53 AM

billiardsforum on 2/8/2019 4:36:36 PM
Stamped underneath the slate we have:

FROM THE
J.M. BRUNSWICK & BALKE COLLENDER CO.
No. 211 Market St
ST. LOUIS. MO.

This would date it to the late 1800s (i.e. 1880s) and they are worth big money if well restored. But - proper restoration will cost you thousands.

I know what this pool table is. More on that below. First, lets talk value.

The economics of restoring an antique pool table of this style are typically as follows:
- High quality restoration from a specialist in these older J.M. Brunswick pool tables will run you anywhere from $3500 to $6000 and beyond. Yours needs a lot, so expect to be close to, or at, the upper end of that range. It takes a highly skilled expert many hours to do it properly.
- The market value of this pool table once it is restored: $15000 to $20000 give or take. There is one for sale right now, fully restored (not true to original though), and it is selling for $20,000. More on that later.
- The fully restored table will be a challenge to sell, however. It can take anywhere from a few months to a few years to find a qualified buyer at those prices.
It's a gorgeous antique pool table with marquetry inlays. This is so labor intensive it just isn't done anymore. They look stunning when restored.

There are a few other questions on this site of folks with similar antique J.M. Brunswick tables.
- Identify Antique Pool Table with Marquetry - This one turned out to be a Charles Schulenburg pool table, but it has a similar style to your J.M. Brunswick pool table.
As for identification, You have a 1870-1880's J.M. Brunswick Eclipse pool table. Yours is missing some of the apron skirting as you'll see from the photos below.

Here is the 1875 catalog page showing the model. Note the six different types of exotic woods used in the marquetry and inlay:

Here is the one on eBay at the moment:
Antique J. M. Brunswick Balke 8' Pool Table Restored 1880's Eclipse
- Price: US $20,000
- Location: Quincy, IL
Restored 1880's J M Brunswick Balke Pool Table Nice 46" x 92" Pro 8' Model Birds-eye-Maple

I'm selling this nice restored table for a friend, he just completed the restoration and it is ready for sale. The Eclipse has Rosewood rails with new pearl sights. The pocket Irons are original and have been nickle plated and new leather uppers and new leather drop pocket baskets. The fringe is burgundy and green. The body of this table is Birds-eye-Maple with rosewood inlays. Outstanding finish work. It comes with 860 Simonis tournament green billiard cloth.

If you are interested in this table and want to ask questions, please email Bill Young

It might be possible to deliver and set up this table in your home, please let me know your location and I can get you a quote.

Extra nice antique pool table ready for delivery.

Source: ebay.com/itm/Antique-J-M-Brunswick-Balke-8-pool-table-restored-1880s-Eclipse-/264055317331
Good luck which ever route you decide to take. Let us know what you decide!

Beautiful pool table.

Carrie P W on 2/8/2019 5:45:18 PM
That’s great! It’s amazing to think how many homes it’s seen and how many people have played on it over the years (and who?). It seems like it at least stayed in the same town (I’m in St. Louis) but since this house is from the 1960s, we know it didn’t start here.

I’m bummed about the skirt rails. Maybe I should look up in the attic for them :).

And, do you think the upper wood side rails are original? They looked pretty clean and newer to me.

Thank you for all your information! We are having a great time with it as is already!

billiardsforum on 2/9/2019 3:13:00 AM
I would say the rails are newer, but I am no expert in these tables.

The original rails were rosewood. I can't tell if yours are rosewood from the photos. Also, they don't seem to taper in toward the pocket edges like the one in the eBay pictures do.

I also noticed yours don't have the pocket irons nor a name plate.The absense of both of those also suggests the rails may have been replaced.

Either way, the table is a gem in my opinion.

jojo3644 on 6/13/2020 6:51:22 PM
I have a complete antique J.M. Brunswick Eclipse pool table and all parts have the number 5193. I've searched, and I just can't find anything with that number.

I’m trying to figure out the value of the pool table today. I’m sure it will need restoration but it’s actually in pretty good original shape. If anyone has info, please drop an answer at my post linked above.