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Information on an Early 6-Leg Brunswick Kling Pool Table with Ball Return

2/5/2023 11:23:59 AM

Information on an Early 6-Leg Brunswick Kling Pool Table with Ball Return

I am currently restoring this 6-leg Brunswick Kling pool table from around 1916. It was a neighborhood friend's that I played on as a kid over 50 years ago.

I am looking for any information you guys may have on the pool table.

I believe it to be a Brunswick Kling pool table from around 1916. Through research I have been told that if it is a Brunswick Kling model, with ball return, from the Baltimore area, then it had to have come out of Kline's Billiards Accademy. Kline's opened around the turn of the century and featured many big name tournaments with Willie Mosconi playing there. We were told by our fathers at the time that it was rumored that Mosconi played on the pool table. Who knows if that's true, but I know that they 14 Brunswick Kling pool tables in that pool hall.

I am completely refinishing the pool table.

Information on an Early 6-Leg Brunswick Kling Pool Table with Ball Return

Replies & Comments

billiardsforum on 2/5/2023 2:25:38 PM
Thanks for sharing the history and your restoration photos thus far. It appears to be in beautiful shape.

As a fine woodworker myself (as a hobby), I'm a little jealous of your project!

Is there anything specific you want to know?

I assume you have the materials from the Brunswick archives, but in case you don't (and for any others looking), I will share them here.

This is the Brunswick Kling technical specs from page 60 of the 1916 "Billiard Products" catalog of the Brunswick Balke Collender company.

The images that follow are the relevant pages from a 1914 Brunswick pool table catalog.
Brunswick Kling 6-Legs Pool Table
- 9 Pro options (50" x 100" Playfield)
  - Slate: 3 pc. 1" framed slate (Optional 1 1/2" thickness)
  - Weight (lbs):2265
- 10 Foot options (56" x 112" Playfield)
  - Slate: 3 pc. 1" framed slate (Optional 1 1/2" thickness)
  - Weight (lbs):2265
- Color Options: Mahogany
- Cushion Rubber: Match Game Perfect Angle
This magnificent design marks a new era in the highest class of billiard table construction and ornamentation. It carries a suggestion of the classic Greek and ancient Egyptian, touching a period when the Oriental splendor bid fair to outrival the more classic tones and studied effects characterizing the era when Athens claimed the right to school the world in literature and art. The severely plain in furniture is now giving way to the lighter and more artistic coloring effects of inlaid decoration.

Available also in a combination style. Manufactured under various patents granted from 1900 to 1916.

Wood and finish: Mahogany, rubbed and polished. After being given the ordinary cabinet finish it is hand rubbed to a dull polish. White and black holly and pearl inlay.

Construction: The table has what is known in our factory as the Jumbo framework, which means that it is unusually heavy and substantial. Top molding 8 1/2" x 3 3/8", sub-frame; 1 3/4" x 12 3/4", total frame: 16 1/8". The ornamental blocks have a projection of 5 7/8" x 4 7/8" and 3" thick. The sides are compound construction, being tongued and grooved and glued, the exterior being reinforced with 3-ply veneer placed in an alternate run of grain, cross veneered on inside. Cross stretchers 1 3/4" thick x 9" bolted to a 1 3/4" x 12 3/4" x 16 1/2" reinforcing blocks, making a rigid bridge work. End stretchers 1 3/4" thick x 5 1/2". Legs 12" square at bottom x 9 " at top, capped by 3 3/8" thick x 5 : square block, bringing them flush with top of frame, to which they are secured by bolts and screws. They are built up in compound construction, tongued and grooved, doweled and reinforced by corner blocks, double cross veneered inside and outside 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 and all mitres absolutely accurate. Glued up joints are tongued and grooved, strongly doweled and glued firmly together. All corners and edges made perfectly smooth and true.

Cushion Rails: Compound construction 3 3/8" x 1 3/4" with facing 4 1/8" x 2 1/4" thick, built up of various kinds of hardwoods of different grain to insure strength and prevent its being affected by climatic conditions. Invisible cushion bolts covered by what is known as blind cushion rails, built up in 6-ply material placed in an alternate run of grain with fancy figured veneer on the exterior. Inlaid with white and black holly. Cap rails 7/8" x 2 3/4" . Rosewood 1 4/" thick. Solid Rosewood corners. Ivory diamond sights. Inlaid metal fancy name plate. Eight rail bolts one each side 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 x 10' table.

Slate Bed: Best quality Vermont slate , 3 pieces to the set. The joints secured with brass dowels and sockets. No screw holes on playing surface. Regulation slate 1" thick. Reinforced with wood frame. Can be furnished special when so ordered 1 1/2" thick. Hardwood trim at pocket opening.

Cushions: The cushions furnished with this table, unless otherwise specified, are our celebrated No. 1845 Match Game perfect angle. These are made in our own rubber factory at Muskegon, Michigan from a secret formula which is used exclusively by us. 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 the No. 6 style which are countersunk in the ends of the cushion rails by means of a brass socket. Black cover leathers reinforced at point of contact giving extra durability. Best quality red trimming leather and green fringe. No. 10 first grade green worsted pocket nets.

oc_skip on 2/5/2023 3:25:58 PM
Thank you.

It is my understanding that all of Brunswick's records for pool tables from this era were lost in a fire. Is this correct?

The leather pockets are still stamped with numbers matching those stamped into the pool table, indicating their age. I assume I would want to use these at all costs, but they are obviously very hard with some worse than others. Are replacements available or would they just be custom made, and if so, are there places better than others for replacement parts?

As to the finish, I have been sanding and repairing where needed. I have sourced some circasian walnut veneer that I have been using as needed. After sanding, I have applied three coats of tung oil. My plan was not to apply a top coat. Should I apply one, perhaps only on the top rail?

Thanks in advance.

BallBuster on 2/5/2023 7:28:21 PM
That's an amazing pool table.

How is the slate?

I threw away two antique Brunswick pool tables, and one had banded slate that was as soft as clay. You could literally scrape it off with your finger nail. It's now in a landfill somewhere.

billiardsforum on 2/6/2023 9:12:38 AM
To answer a few of your recent questions:

It is my understanding that all of Brunswick's records for pool tables from this era were lost in a fire. Is this correct?

Yes, this is correct.

Are replacements available or would they just be custom made, and if so, are there places better than others for replacement parts?

Two suggestions:
1. Call Ken Hash at Classic Billiards. If he doesn't have any, he may be able to point you in the right direction.
2. Blatt Billiards in NY - They restore old pool tables (have probably done many thousands) and cater to very wealthy clients, but might have some authentic spare pockets to sell, or could point you in the right direction.
My plan was not to apply a top coat. Should I apply one, perhaps only on the top rail?

I would definitely coat the top rails. The tung oil will leave the wood fibers exposed. Perhaps a water-based poly. If using that, it will need multiple coats (4+) with a fine steel wood or fine-grained sandpaper sanding in between coats. Use a tack cloth to remove dust and particulate before applying each coat. Also note that water-based polys, though they dry to touch fairly quickly, it can be months before reaching their optimal hardness, so take extra care during the first weeks of play while it's still curing.

Can't wait to see the finished product!

user1687930199 on 6/28/2023 1:30:04 AM
I have the exact same pool table and it needs restoration work.

I am questioning whether to use it as firewood or sell it.

Information on an Early 6-Leg Brunswick Kling Pool Table with Ball Return

Title: Information on an Early 6-Leg Brunswick Kling Pool Table with Ball Return
Author: oc_skip
Published: 2/5/2023 11:23:59 AM
Last Updated: 2/5/2023 2:28:03 PM
Last Updated By: billiardsforum (Billiards Forum)