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Was this Antique Brunswick "Popular" Model Pool Table Converted to Drop Pockets?

12/2/2025 6:44:16 PM

Was this Antique Brunswick "Popular" Model Pool Table Converted to Drop Pockets?

Below are some photos of my antique Brunswick "Popular" pool table, much like those shown in the question Identifying Antique Pool Table, Brunswick 1895?.

My grandfather purchased this pool table back in the day from a pool hall. It had wooden skirts covering all the nice wood work inlay. Plus leather drop pockets. We had no idea it had some greatness under the skirts. I played on it from when I was a kid until age 45 with no clue until we disassembled it to move it. We are in the middle of refinishing it.

The answers above have all of the detail I was looking for except for just one thing. I just wondering how or why my Brunswick Popular model seems to have a ball return set up but lacks the ball return rail system? If you have any insight on the ball return cut-outs, or know whether the ball return system is an aftermarket DIY set up, I would appreciate hearing from you below.

Thank you, and I will start a new page of the whole remodel with pictures.

Cheers!

Thanks,
Daniel

This is the base:

Here is a view of the ball return opening but with no ball return system present. All 6 pocket holes have them and as long as I've known the pool table it has always had leather drop pockets since we had it at my grandparents house.

Here are few pictures as my mom is addressing the wood work. The original legs did come with it. My grandfather had some wooden boxes as legs. I scored these ram head legs on OfferUp free curbside. They'll do for now.

I used the old box legs for extra stick holders. I have all of his old balls and rack set up

Was this Antique Brunswick "Popular" Model Pool Table Converted to Drop Pockets?

Replies & Comments

billiardsforum on 3/4/2026 10:48:33 AM
What a great pool table and an even better story of discovery of it's beauty!

Here's the description from the 1885 Brunswick catalog. Unfortunately no mention of a ball return system, nor of drop pockets.

Brunswick "Popular" Pool Table

Years of manufacture: 1885-1895

As its name implies, this is a popular table, and possesses merits that entitle it to that position. We furnish this table either in rosewood inlaid with maple, or maple inlaid with rosewood. The Popular has long retained a prominent position in all billiard rooms, and in each and every part of its construction is perfect in all particulars.

Furnished either as a carrom or pool table or both combined. All combination tables have our patent adjustable carrom plugs, with iron fastenings.

All tables are fitted with Vermont slate bed from our own quarries, imported Simonis cloth, and the incomparable Monarch cushions.

The legs, besides being joined with wooden dowels, are fastened with a large iron bolt passing through the entire length of the leg to the top of the head block, thus insuring positive solidity.

What do the rails look like?

In my opinin and without seeing the rails close-up, I would say that this was an after-market DIY. It's too bad too, as it seems to have ruined the marquetry under the side pockets.

Especially since it came from a pool hall. I've seen all manner of hack-jobs on antique pool tables originating from pool halls, like parts from random broken models combined to make a single working pool table, etc. So based on your story about the DIY aprons and legs, and the fact that it came out of a pool hall strongly points to a after-market DIY job.

That, and the fact that this pool table's design came out in 1885 and ball return systems weren't introduced until 1890 (and not by Brunswick).

But regardless, it's still a beautiful pool table. Looking forward to seeing your restoration.

Was this Antique Brunswick "Popular" Model Pool Table Converted to Drop Pockets?

Title: Was this Antique Brunswick "Popular" Model Pool Table Converted to Drop Pockets?
Author: Allcity13 (Daniel Huizarii)
Published: 12/2/2025 6:44:16 PM
Last Updated: 3/4/2026 10:30:34 AM
Last Updated By: billiardsforum (Billiards Forum)