The Bridgeport is a further development of the Hawthorn, but features two incredibly functional drawers located in the side of the table body…very clever!

Although it’s a very simplistic, non-fussy and contemporary design, it actually works incredibly well in traditional settings too, due to the chestnut or Espresso stain finishes.

Bridgeport is available in 8ft table size and can be further enhanced with matching cue racks and covers if required.

Click this link for my full table review

1848
Brunswick opens its first sales office in Chicago on State Street. This first branch soon expands to include two factories and an 8,000 square foot billiard parlor on Washington Street. Additional offices, sales rooms, and billiard parlors open in New Orleans in 1852 and St. Louis in 1859.

1873
Demand for Brunswick tables continues to increase. Brunswick merges with rival Julius Balke’s Great Western Billiard Table Manufactory to become The J. M. Brunswick and Balke Company. Pamphlets published two years after the great Chicago fire describe the company as manufacturing 700 tables annually, with 350 Brunswick tables in play in the city of Chicago, and selling from Canada to Mexico, with tables in every principal city in the west.

1884
Brunswick joins with another rival to become “The Brunswick-Balke-Collender Company,” the largest billiard equipment operation in the world, larger than all its competitors combined. Expansion of the product line now includes elaborate and ornate front and back bars made of rich woods, flawless mirrors, and stained glass. Originally offered as special order items, demand from taverns grew so great that a new factory in Dubuque, Iowa manufactured and shipped the bars around the world. The bars began to gather design awards at international exhibitions. Many of them are still in use today, becoming focal points in popular bars and restaurants around the country.

1888
Brunswick is one of the most successful businesses in Chicago, operating from a five story building on State Street, with an additional factory located at Rush and Kinzie and one at Huron and Sedgwick that covered an entire city block with its factory, warehouse and lumber drying plant.

1890
Company President Moses Bensinger works to experiment and research better ways to make billiard tables and equipment. Important patents for rubber cushions are registered and other technical innovations evolve.

1906
Brunswick opens a new 100,000 square foot plant in Muskegon, Michigan. Among the many departments at the plant: billiard table assembly, billiard balls, cue manufacturing, and chalk. Company-owned boats brought cut maple from Brunswick’s lumber mill in Big Bay on Lake Huron; the lumber itself came from a thousand acres of Brunswick timberland near Lake Superior. The company owned its own slate quarries in Vermont and Pennsylvania. It was the world’s largest user of hardwood. Manufacturing over 400,000 cues a year, there was enough reserve maple in Brunswick drying kilns (the world’s largest) to make an additional 600,000 cues.

Brunswick Bridgeport American Pool Table

The Brunswick Bridgeport is based on the hugely popular Hawthorn pool table and it would have been very easy for Brunswick to have just sat back and continue to profit from the base model, but in the world we live in, it’s very important for a pioneering company like Brunswick to keep pushing things forward and to keep raising the bar.

That’s one of the main reasons I really like the new Bridgeport…it takes things on another level. I know the addition of the two new side drawers may seem like a simple addition, but engineering something so outwardly simple is in fact quite a feat, especially to do it to the level that Brunswick set.

The other reason I like the new Bridgeport is because it is based on the Hawthorn as I mentioned at the start, and the Hawthorn is one of the best performing Brunswick pool tables after the Competition series. The reason for this is due to the massive sub-frame hidden beneath the aprons.

In actual fact it’s a serious pain in the backside to fit, but once put together, you could almost sit an elephant on top it’s so sturdy. The rigidity of the frame all goes to help the rebound from the SuperSpeed cushions which are standard on this table.

If you’re unaware of Brunswick’s SuperSpeed cushions, then you need to know that they have been independently verified by the University of Wisconsin as the most accurate cushions currently available and they’re the same that Brunswick use on their Gold Crown V world championship pool table.

The Bridgeport and the Hawthorn are both very unassuming billiard tables that make a very bold, yet subtle statement. Both are available in 8ft table size and the Bridgeport is available in either a chestnut or Espresso (shown) stain finish.

Well performance has to be a major factor, especially in a professional environment. The table can’t be any less accurate than any competing pool table and must be as easy as possible to play on. And finally, should any part of the table’s set up require modifying quickly, say during a tournament, that a billiard table technician can do so quickly and efficiently. In which case…the new Gold Crown V has to be the best pool table in the world!

You see the Gold Crown American pool table has been the professional billiard player’s table of choice since its first incarnation in the early 1960’s. It’s why Matchroom Sports and the WPBA (Ladies Pool Association) are happy to work exclusively with Brunswick. The Gold Crown V uses Brunswick’s SuperSpeed cushions which have been proven to be the most accurate in an independent test by the University of Wisconsin. But the Gold Crown has wider and heavier rails which not only provides a more natural hand position, but adds a little more response than other Brunswick tables using this cushion type.

What that all means in simple terms, is that when you play a shot, you know exactly where the cue ball and the object ball are going to stop. Kick and bank shots off the rails are much easier because all Brunswick’s rails are consistent due to the totally unique way that the rubber is attached to the rail, so unlike other tables…angles can be predicted with high accuracy, making shot play far easier and more precise.

Quick question…

If you bought a car, but noticed that the wheels were pointing in different directions…you’d send it back because it would never work properly, no matter how good the rest of the car looked wouldn’t you?

Well, people ask What’s the difference with a real Gold Crown and this copy that I’ve been offered? In the same way that a car’s wheels are the most important component in keeping the car driving correctly, on a pool table, it’s the frame. Now most, if not all the copy Gold Crown tables I’ve seen have a maximum 1″ or 1¼” thick plywood frame, that is set vertically. Now that’s OK, but plywood doesn’t bind like hardwood and all these copies are only bolted together.

A Gold Crown on the other hand is pre-assembled in the factory and flush finished with each joint numbered and matched. So, when the fitters get the table on site, they have to really hammer the frame together, matching the numbers to ensure the most precise finish possible. Not only that, but the frame is initially set with dowels that are as tight as possible. The bolts are used to secure everything meaning that the surface for the slates to sit on is perfectly flat.

Bear in mind too, that this frame is 3½” thick and constructed from poplar wood as Brunswick have tested this to be the best for this set up. Now, you can play an ok game of pool on a copy table, but cold winters, hot summers, high and low humidity and the weight of the slates will very soon have the frame moving and twisting, not only putting the table out of level, but possibly even causing the slates to drop, and that’s expensive!

Brunswick were also the first company to introduce flush fitting corner castings. Now this may not sound much of an innovation, but normal competition style pool tables have the metal corner plates set about ¼” higher than the rail and then they fix a rubber pocket on top of the plate. So, if you have to play the cue ball from out of the mouth of the pocket, you will have to play about ½” higher than on the new Gold Crown series. Quite obviously, this imposes limitations on the type of shot you can make, but on the Gold Crown V…that’s not an issue.

Now I guess that we can’t fully claim the Gold Crown V as the best American pool table in the world if it only comes in one finish option…actually, there’s a whole range of different options…

• Mahogany High Pressure Laminate with brushed nickel castings and trim
• Matte Black High Pressure Laminate with brushed nickel castings and trim
• Mahogany High Pressure Laminate with bronze castings and trim
• Tourno Edition, Mahogany High Pressure Laminate with brushed nickel castings and trim

Each of the first three options shown above are available in 8ft Pro and 9ft sizes, and the Tournament Edition is available in 9ft only with tighter World Championship pockets.

All in all, there really is no better performing American style pool table available in the world today and we thoroughly recommend the Brunswick Gold Crown V.

You see, the Centurion is part of Brunswick’s Competition series of billiard tables, which means that they are good enough to play professional pool events on. So what makes a pool table pro quality?

Well in a nutshell, pro quality requires a table to be as accurate as possible so that you know exactly where the cue ball and the object ball are going to end up (so long as you play the shot right!). Now this can only be achieved by ensuring a number of factors all come together in the one table - let’s take a look…

• The Frame - has to not only take the weight of the slate bed, but ensure that the table remains solid and doesn’t move. The frame that Brunswick use for the Centurion is 2-1/2″ thick and has been tested to a weight far in excess of the slate bed. Also, Brunswick insist on bolting every frame together (rather than using screws as some manufacturers do!), which keeps the frame from moving or twisting.
• The Legs - must be strong enough to support the frame and the weight of the slate, but they must also be fixed so as to not be able to ’splay or drift’. One way of ensuring that this doesn’t happen, is by using a ’stretcher’ which is a panel that bolts into both legs to stop the table legs moving apart length ways. The fact that Centurion has pedestal style legs, means that they can’t move laterally either, making a totally solid foundation.
• Precision Milled Slate Bed - every Brunswick slate bed is milled to an accuracy of 1/100″ to ensure that the balls roll just where they should do. Each set is matched and must undergo a 14 point check before getting Brunswick’s certification.
• Cushion Accuracy - it’s a fact that no other billiard table manufacturer can attach cushion rubber as accurately as Brunswick can, why…simply because only Brunswick have a special machine that attaches each strip to the wooden cushion, ensuring that the same amount of glue and pressure is applied making each rail react the same way.

Putting all of the above together, makes a top class tournament quality American pool table!

Centurion is available in 8ft pro and 9ft table sizes, and the option of either matte black, or mahogany high pressure laminate (scratch and burn resistant). You also get the option of a gully return, although I would recommend not going for it as they are noisy, make the balls dirty and keep jamming - you have been warned!

All in all, Brunswick’s Centurion American pool table is a top performing table with clean, simple design that will work in many locations, give decades of fun all at a reasonable package price.

However, just because it doesn’t look as heavy as a regular solid wood table, doesn’t mean that it is lacking in any character…far from it! In fact, Astoria has more features than some of the higher price Brunswick tables, such as inlaid burl maple cabinet panels that really do add a touch of class to the table. An ‘arched’ cabinet is normally reserved for the higher priced tables, but standard on the Astoria, and if you couple it with the no-cost, optional Ball and Claw leg, it really does make a strong statement to people visiting your home.

As one of Brunswick’s ‘mainline’ series of billiard tables, Astoria comes complete with SuperSpeed cushions. These are produced from Brunswick’s propriatory formulation and are regarded as being the most accurate billiard cushions available. The entire cabinet, legs and rails are crafted from solid hardwoods, and the table also comes with a full, certified set of Brunswick slates, again unmatched for accuracy and precision. So, not only with Astoria look good, but it will play as well as you would expect a top of the line billiard table to play.

Unfortunately, Astoria is only available in 8ft table size and Original^™ Mahogany finish, but you do have the choice of the ball and claw leg style (as mentioned earlier in this review), Queen Anne, or Ram’s Head. You also have the choice of either fringe with tassle, or leather shield pockets, all available at no extra cost.

In summary, Astoria is a traditional styled billiard table, that doesn’t take itself too seriously! Due to its lighter character, the table can be sited in most locations and have a presence that is ’strong enough’ for the male ego, yet fine enough to easily pass as a piece of quality home furniture…

Michael Hemmins
American Billiard Company

Billiard tables like the Ashbee were very much the style of choice of the time for those that could afford one, with intricate hand inlays the full length of the cabinet sides highlighting the inherant quality and class required.

Of course, looks are only skin deep as the saying goes and as Brunswick himself had declared that his billiard tables would be better than anyone else’s, they had to play well too. Thankfully, things have moved on somewhat since the mid 19th century and although Ashbee remains faithfully in looks to the period, the performance is that of the 21st century.

Just because you want a reproduction antique, doesn’t mean that it has to play like one and Brunswick have ensured that Ashbee has the same cushion rubbers and slate bed as their flagship ‘Gold Crown V’ professional pool table. What this means is that your ability to play shots knowing pretty much exactly where the cue ball will stop, is massively enhanced.

Similarly, Brunswick’s insistance that all their classical and traditional range of tables use bolts in the construction of the table (rather than screws as some other manufacturers do), ensures that the Certified slate bed reamins solid and flat as is required for a great game of pool.

So what this means is a very solid table that looks every bit the (reproduction) antique it’s supposed to be, yet a table that plays almost as good as the best performing pool table there is…not bad!

A sign of how popular Ashbee must be, is Brunswick’s decision to add the new ‘Espresso’ finish (shown above) in addition to the traditional Original^™ Mahogany stain that has been the only option previously. Of course the finish complements the other options that can be specified, being a choice of either 8ft or 9ft table size, and either tassle/fringe or shield pocket sets.

In conclusion, Brunswick’s Ashbee American pool table is not a table that will appeal to everyone, but in a suitable setting, this billiard table will provide not only great entertainment, but look every part the grand piece of furniture one would expect it to be…

Brunswick has always looked to lead the field in terms of billiard table design, trying to capture certain periods of style such as the ‘Arts & Crafts movement’ which was very popular around the early part of the 20th century.

Part of this style was the requirement to produce solid, yet simple pieces of furniture as can be seen by the form of the Artisan American pool table.

In this particular billiard table, Brunswick have created one of the sturdiest tables in their range, thanks in no small part to the style of table adopted here. You see, round or fancy legs would not have conformed to this design, neither would a pedestal style of leg, so the obvious option is four straight, but tapered legs situated at each corner.

Two ‘end leg bearers’ not only add a look of strength to the table, but also stop the legs moving laterally, and the stretcher provides a similar anchor role along the length of the table, all adding up to a very solid and stable pool table which is further enhanced by the 1-3/4″ thick sub-frame bolted to the legs that secures the 1″ thick slate bed.

Now you may think that having made a table as sturdy as Artisan is, that performance may suffer, but you’d certainly be wrong. As with all Brunswick ‘Mainline’ American pool tables, Artisan comes with SuperSpeed cushions included. These are the same rubbers that you will find on Brunswick’s professional pool table series and the same type that the University of Wisconsin determined to be the most accurate in their own independent test a few years ago.

Brunswick’s Artisan American style billiard table is available in 8ft and 9ft table sizes and in Mission Oak finish, with ‘Cow Tailing & Fly Specking’ effects. In other words, as though the timber has been slightly weathered to authenticate the style.

Our conclusion is that Artisan is a unique style of pool table that will play well and last for many years in the right setting. It’s not going to be the table of choice for a modern home, but if your location fits, you won’t go far wrong.

Although the Hawthorn may look clean and simple in its looks, it’s certainly not simple in the way that it goes together…In fact, the Hawthorn is one of the hardest billiard tables to fit in the Brunswick range because of the massive sub-frame that Brunswick have incorporated into the design of this table.

What this means, is that under the aprons (the panels attached beneath the rails) sits a frame that in reality could support weight twice as much as that designed for this table. Unlike many other table manufacturers, Brunswick insist that every frame is bolted together, rather than screwed. Each leg fixes the frame both on the width and the length, plus the same again for each ‘mid-panel’ that you can see in the mid section of each leg. Once completely bolted together, the Brunswick Certified slate bed has the support required to ensure any movement is absolutely minimal, creating an ideal playing surface.

As a Brunswick ‘Mainline’ pool table, the Hawthorn comes with Brunswick’s championship ‘SuperSpeed’ cushions. What makes these so unique, is the proprietary rubber formula that Brunswick use that virtually eliminates variations of bounce. So in simple terms when playing a medium paced shot, the angle the ball hits the rail, is effectively the angle the ball will exit the rail. So even novices stand a good chance of making those painful kick-shots!

So how does the Hawthorn play..?

Well, after highlighting all the positives above, you’d expect the Hawthorn to play better than average, and you would be right! With the incredible rigidity of the frame, the SuperSpeed cushions, plus Brunswick’s High Performance Nutplates used to secure the rails, this table gives highly accurate and precise game that you won’t be disappointed with.

The Hawthorn American pool table is available in 7ft and 8ft sizes and in Brunswick’s Original Mahogany and Traditional Cherry stain finishes. It’s also available in a natural maple finish, but only in 8ft.

You’re going to need to add pool table cloth and accessories to your table package, and we would recommend the Centennial^™ Play Package which includes Centennial pool table cloth and the Centennial accessory package (just click the links for more information).

In summary, the Hawthorn is an incredibly solid, mid-priced table that features components and designs used in high-end professional pool tables. It’s solid hardwood construction and simple design means that it will work in both a modern and traditional setting, and of course being a Brunswick, will last for many, many years…

Here’s what you get in the Brunswick Centennial^™ Play Pack…

Brunswick Centennial^® Ball Set - There are no more accurate billiard balls available to buy, than Centennial^® balls. Each ball is ground and polished to a radial tolerance of 0.001 of an inch. Now that means that the ball will roll smoothly, however it doesn’t ensure that these balls will roll accurately. To ensure the level of accuracy and precision required to be labelled Brunswick, the Centennial^® balls are produced from Phenolic Resin, which can be moulded to high levels of uniform density - in other words, they roll straight! But that’s not all…because we now know that they roll smooth and straight, but if each ball is not matched for weight, it means that the angle that each ball travels after impact can be affected by weight, for example a heavy ball hitting a lighter ball will travel ‘through’ the lighter ball which means that you will not be able to predict the path of the balls with any precision.

If that has left you totally confused, what it means is that Centennial^® balls are the only balls that have the precision to allow you to accurately predict the path of the cue ball and the object ball, which is very good!

Brunswick Centennial^® Pool Cues - If you’ve ever played snooker well, you’ll be aware of the fact that you never really wanted to play a shot with ’side’ imparted on the cue ball (where you hit the cue ball off-centre to induce spin). The main reason for this (other than the nap) was the fact that, let’s say you hit the cue ball on the left, the cue will force the ball to the right, which meant that you had to ‘allow’ for the deflection.

The same thing applies in American pool, but more so as to get around the table, you have to use spin rather than force due to the different cushion designs. Pick the wrong cues and you’re going to have big problems, so luckily, you will be able to use the Centennial^® cue which although it doesn’t eliminate the problem of deflection, it does reduce it thanks to the special joint, shaft and taper used, so everyone enjoys a fun game of pool.

Brunswick Big Break^® Rack - When you play 9-Ball, you need to be sure that the balls are racked as tightly as possible and although you also get a diamond rack in the Centennial Play Pack, Brunswick’s Big Break^® rack provides one of the best fits possible for 9-Ball.

You also get a hardwood backed, pure bristle table brush to help keep your cloth clean, a short version of the Centennial cue in case you’re a little short for space, a bridge stick and brass rest head for those difficult shots, a box of chalk, a BCA Rule Book complete with rules for over 30 games that you can play, all with the one set of spot and stripe balls, plus a handy DVD featuring Ewa Lawrence which shows you how to look after your table, plus a few hints on how to play!

At the end of the day, you’re going to be pretty hard pressed to find a package that offers the level of quality that you get with the Centennial Play^&153; Pack, or indeed a pack this provides pretty much all you need in the one box to go and enjoy a great game of pool.