ID and Sell a 9-Foot Brunswick Balke Collender Pool Table
12/16/2025 12:34:03 PM
ID and Sell a 9-Foot Brunswick Balke Collender Pool Table
I am looking to identify and help to sell this antique 9-foot Brunswick Balke-Collender pool table.
The problem is my elderly father is worried that this pool table (which he acquired in the early 1960s) will end up in the dump.
Us siblings don't have a place for this amazingly flat pool table. I have not played on it since the early 1980s but it's the most true-playing pool table that I have ever played on.
There are no snooker rails.
I am just wanting to gather some info and determine best way to move this pool table to give my father some satisfaction. I had a Facebook Marketplace buyer lined up last year for $1500, but my father had a neighbor who said he could find a buyer at $3000 (which never came through).
I'm wondering if the legs suffered a water event. As a kid I spent lots of time crawling under this pool table I don't recall the legs being in anything but perfect and crack-free condition.
The pool table is located in Longmont, Colorado.
ID and Sell a 9-Foot Brunswick Balke Collender Pool Table
Replies & Comments
R J on 12/18/2025 12:20:16 PM
I've been informed this is a Brunswick "St Elmo" pool table circa 1918.
billiardsforum on 3/31/2026 8:25:49 AMYep, that's a perfect identification.
That cracking you're seeing on the legs is indicative of moisture intake from the bottom (where the wood is cross-cut). Very common. Otherwise they're just a little banged up.
Top dollar would be had if it were in much better condition. I would say that somewhere between $1500 and $3000 is in the ball-park (if you have time to find the right buyer).
It certainly is a gem of a pool table. Best of luck with the sale.
Here is the catalog photo and description from the 1912 Brunswick Balke-Collender Co. catalogue of "Carom and Pocket Tables" (Page 24).
Brunswick St. Elmo Pool Table
There is but scant opportunity for strict adherence to classical effects in the building of a carom or pocket billiard table. Anything that is added for embellishment or ornamentation is quite likely to prove objectionable in course of time. Carved work, raised panels or irregular moldings are certain to be troublesome because of dust accumulations. In producing this, the St. Elmo design, we have aimed to employ only the essential features of the pure Empire, combining them with the handsome inlaid woods. This style of furniture is now in the best demand. The effect is harmonious and attractive. Design patent awarded April 4, 1911. Produced under various patents granted from 1892 to 1905.
- Wood and Finish: Furnished in quarter sawed oak, but can be supplied where desired on reasonably short notice, in mahogany. The oak is finished in our No. 6 medium or golden color, with white holly. The finish is what is known as an egg shell gloss, which means that after being given the ordinary cabinet finish, it is hand rubbed to a dull polish which can be more easily kept clean than any other furniture finish.
- Construction: The table has what is known in our factory as the Jumbo frame work, which means that it is unusually heavy and has enormous carrying weight. The top and the side and end sections being 7' across, gradually tapering to 1 3/4" at the bottom, with the sides and ends 14 1/4" high. It is also provided with double cross stretchers, reinforced at end with blocks 8 1/4" long x 1 3/4" thick by 9" wide attached to side frame. Both of the side stretchers are secured by bolts to the reinforcing blocks, making an extraordinary strong bridge work. The sides are attached to the head blocks formed by the corner legs and secured thereto by 5/8" hardwood dowels reinforced by two frame bolts countersunk in 2 1/4" blocks screwed and glued to the side frames. The table is built in sections and can be taken apart for K.D. shipment. Legs are 8 1/2" square, tongued and grooved compound construction, reinforced by corner blocks, double cross veneered and rigidly built into end frame work of body. The wood construction is all of the very best quality, cabinet made and put together in a most thorough manner. All joints made close and secure to all mitres absolutely accurate. Joints tongued and grooved, strongly doweled and glued or screwed firmly together. All corners and edges made perfectly smooth and true.
- Cushion Rails: 4" x 2" thick, compound construction built up of various kinds of hardwoods of different grain, to insure strength and prevent them being affected by climatic conditions. Invisible cushion bolts covered by what is known as blind cushion rails built up in several thicknesses placed in an alternate run of grain with fancy figured veneer on the exterior. Cap rails 7/8" thick x 2 3/4" hardwood and covered with 1/4" thick rosewood on top. Solid rosewood corners. Ivory diamond sights. Inlaid metal fancy name plate. 8 rail bolts on sides and 4 on each end of 4 1/2 x 9' table and 10 rail bolts on each side and 5 on each end of 5x10 table.
- Slate bed: Best quality Vermont slate, 3 pieces to the set. The joints being made with brass dowels and sockets, with no screw holes in playing surface. Thickness of slate is 1". Wood reinforcing frame 1" thick. Hardwood trim for pocket openings.
- Cushions: The cushions furnished with this table are our Monarch style No. 1845 match Game, perfect angle.These cushions are made in our own rubber plant at Muskegon, Michigan, from a secret formula which the chemists of rival concerns have never been able to master. Our guarantee as to their accuracy of angle, speed and durability is evidenced by the name plate countersunk in the top of the cushion rail.
- Pockets: The pocket irons are No. 5 style. Black cover leathers reinforced at point of contact for extra durability. Best quality red trimming leather and green fringe. No. 10 best quality green worsted or Longfellow leather pockets, as may be preferred.
ID and Sell a 9-Foot Brunswick Balke Collender Pool Table
- Title: ID and Sell a 9-Foot Brunswick Balke Collender Pool Table
- Author: R J (Randy Johnson)
- Published: 12/16/2025 12:34:03 PM
- Last Updated: 3/31/2026 8:07:34 AM
- Last Updated By: billiardsforum (Billiards Forum)
