One year ago (nearly to the day), we setup a Brunswick Centennial Art Deco Masterpiece in Redlands, California. The lengthy and difficult process of restoring a mid-century table, didn’t scare off our customer. He fell in love (rightly so) with his 10′ snooker table so much, that he decided to restore a matching 10′ carom table.
Back in 1996, I acquired seven Centennials when Right Road Billiards in Santa Ana, California closed down. I refurbished a few at the time, and kept one nine footer for myself. This last carom table needed the most work and sat shelved for many years.
The process of refurbishing was similar to that of our customer’s existing snooker table, though a bit more difficult. The rails and legs on this table needed additional love after 45 years of billiard hall abuse. They were sanded down completely, then retained. The aluminum went out for polish and came back looking brand new.
Once again, the nearly 70 year old cushions were still lively. The quality of this rubber is awesome! We recovered the rails and set out for this beauty to meet her sister. Antique tables like these do take some extra time and care. The frame went together smoothly, giving the giant three pieces of slate ample support. Brite blue cloth was stretched on the bed, then the rails and corners carefully assembled.
The finished project is a tad bittersweet. I am proud of how the table turned out and pleased it found home where it can be appreciated. It is very satisfying to say we were able to get this project done. However, the completion of this project is a bit like closing a chapter of my life.
Hello “King”: I was recently given a very old billiards (Pool?) table for the Boys and Girls Club for its annual auction. I have been on the internet, looked up items on EBay, etc. and am still at a loss as to the value of this table.
Here is what I do know…
The current owner/donor to the Club, has owned the table since about 1995
It was in the previous owners family since 1949
The dimensions, nose of the fusions are 46 1/4 inches by 92 inches
I have a handwritten note with it that reads “appraised @ $1,600 in 1966 and then, in 1978, the appraised value was $4,000
I have followed some tables being sold on EBay …. not exactly like this one, but similar….with a WIDE range of prices……..$6,000 to $38,000….
The brass plate on one end reads: MONARCH
THE
Brunswick Balke Collender Co
Cushion
On the underneath of the table there are several different numbers stenciled onto the frame:
G7301 or 67301
Wt 75 in one location
No 62 or NO G2 in one location
I know this is a long shot, to ask for some help, but this is not for Me to make money, but rather for us to set a reasonable sale price to raise money for the 700 kids we take care of every day. Can you please help me in giving me your “best estimate”as to a value. I can tell you that it is a beautiful table, solid as a rock …… really in great condition.
Thanks, Dick Cottrill
President, Board of Directors, Boys and Girls Clubs of the Rogue Valley
Dick, BBC billiard tables vary greatly in value depending on which model it is. Maybe you can visit Brunswick’s website to try to identify which model you have. Then with this new information you might be able to estimate the value a little easier. What an antique pool table is really worth is greatly dependent on the condition of the wood, finish, inlays, decorativeness, condition of leather pockets and condition of cushion rubber and lastly the condition of the billiard cloth (felt).
Best of luck, PTK.
I purchased a 10″ Centennial billiard table a year ago. i was told it had had new cushions installed. When the ball hits the rail it jumps a little off the rail. My question is, is there a way to raise or shim the rails to prevent the ball from jumping? Thank you for having this website where people can come with questions.
Bob, if the balls are hopping after contact with the cushions then the nose height is too low. If you loosen the railbolts enough to slide shims underneath the rails this will stop the hopping. I would recommend using cereal boxes or something similar that will not compress when you re-tighten the railbolts. Start with a shim thickness of 1/32nd of an inch and remember not to slide all the way under until you have found the perfect shim amount.
Best, PTK.
I played pool and 3 cushion billiards at this pool hall” Rail Road billiards” in Santa Ana around early 70s they were located at east end of 4th st next to rail road tracks. thats why of the name lol.
Thanks for the comment Mr Rodriguez. I bought all the tables from Juan the owner when he closed the doors around ’95. I sold a few of the Centennial pool tables to some dudes from Northern California and the rest I restored and sold over a 20 year period of time. One of the last Carombola tables I restored and sold is out in Redlands now.
Best regards, David.
Hello, I have a Brunswick Centennial D-C table that I’ve been told is a Carom table converted to a Pool table. How can I know for certain this was converted? Did all Centennial Pool tables have the ball rack on the Emblem side?
Thank you!
The head rail may have been switched to the foot end of the pool table. As for the conversion only the trained eye of a skilled Billiard mechanic would be able to tell. Also if the slates were cut for the pocket openings that would be a telling sign, unless they had swapped the original carom slate for a set of pocket billiard slate.
Best regards, David
Hello im looking for carom table do you have any
Our organization has a carom able that at is currently in storage. This table was in bldg. that was purchased in 1936. I can send more info if interested.