This is a spectacular pool table with gorgeous inlays of ebony, holly and mother-of-pearl according to the brunswick balke collender website. There are no animal inlays in this table.. Technical information: information from page 60 of the 1916 billiard products catalogue of the brunswick-balke-collender-company. This magnificent design marks a new era in the highest class of billiard table construction and ornamentation. 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. Circassian walnut veneer over 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. 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″, subframe; 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. 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″.
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. Best quality vermont slate , 3 pieces to the set. The joints secured with brass dowels and sockets.
No screw holes on playing surface. Can be furnished special when so ordered 1 1/2 thick. Hardwood trim at pocket opening. 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.
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. This table was built in 1916 and named after johnny kling, a major league baseball catcher from the chicago cubs. After retiring from baseball in the 1900s, johnny kling became a professional billiard player and was a billiards champion in the mid 1910’s. This design is one of the high points of billiard design and it is obvious at first glance and dedicated to a charismatic man who was a champion player in the tournament billiards world. This particular table came from a chicago pool hall, per the last owner. Notice the chicago system of trap door and handle to show full rotation and order by which the balls were pocketed. All elements of the jumbo frame are included. Each of the frame pieces are numbered with a stamped in number and all numbers match.
Of the three pieces of slate, two are original and one appears to be a later vintage, but also of brunswick design and construction. This is a 10 foot pool table, not a snooker table. This was the professional table during the 1910’s.
Later on, the 9 foot table became the standard as many player felt that the 10 foot model was too difficult to play on and opted for an easier table. This table includes some of the original patina (it was not over-restored). Automatic ball return and the chicago system are very rare in these rare tables.
This was recently rated as a 9.5 out of 10 rating by a local antique billiards table expert, here locally. If only the table could tell its own story…. After the chicago pool halls closed down, this pool table ended up in las vegas. It was kept here for years until it was won in a poker game by a professional pool player who lived in san diego.
I bought the table from this man about 8 years ago. He was quiet elderly and had no use for the table. He had it stored and only partially put together. From this condition, i had the table 100% restored to the condition it is today and it sits in the basement of my home.
All pocket leathers are fully restored, all corner irons are restored, all cushions are state of the art and i have an extra set of speed cushions that will go with the table. I get almost 4 cushion bounce right now with the cushions on the table. Everything on this table is the best of the best.
You will not be disappointed. According to the website, this table weighs 2700 pounds. It obviously needs to me moved by a professional.
You will still have to hire someone at your home to unload the table and set it back up.The item “Brunswick Balke Collender KLING Pool Table (1916 era)” is in sale since Monday, December 16, 2013. This item is in the category “Sporting Goods\Indoor Games\Billiards\Tables”. The seller is “viperpbw” and is located in West Bloomfield, Michigan. This item can only be shipped to United States.
- Brand: Brunswick Balke Collender
- Model: Johnny Kling special
- Country of Manufacture: United States
