Classic METAL Racquets Thread - ALUMINIUM to TENSILIUM - Page 6

rodracquet · 03-03-2011, 08:02 PM

The metal racquets are really good to look at, so I am glad they were made and finally ovetaken by materials which didn't ruin your elbow. I think that tennis elbow must be lower than ever before thanks to the new materials, but that is another thread.

Thought I would share with you this proto-type that arrived ex France and found on hard rubbish tip. It arrived in an ALLO (french aluminium auto company that also made wood racquets from early 1900's) It isn't branded, arrived without a grip and is loosely strung. I polished it up and my stringer had a extra long grip which worked.

Like the Pro-AM this is solid cast but the detail in the casting is truly amazing down to the curved string holes and indented frame to protect the strings.

Never seen another which would be circa 1945.

rodracquet · 03-03-2011, 08:04 PM

Also, re the BIRMAL ALUMINIUM Grips. Can anyone please point me in the direction of where to find a cord grip that would look authentic. I have photos of an example and I note they came with leather grips also, but just trying to explore the cricket, golf restoration worlds where cord was used quite often. Happy for any advice.

rodracquet · 03-03-2011, 08:10 PM

Here some other racquets that have a metal component.

The Dunlop Mono shaft seen earlier in the thread as new is great, the Slazenger twin shaft (same factory) and the MacGregor Tourney.

Then we have the Samuel Fox wood stainless steel racquet with dodgy patent numbers. Used to be an umbrella maker, so guess this is a very early Stainless Steel version as opposed to the Carbon Steel variety.

dataseviltwin · 03-07-2011, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbo333

More photos of the metal Head - Final (String-Lock)

Realise I've posted these before, but it's such a great racquet!

Wery kewl. B-)

TMR · 06-02-2012, 09:46 PM

How about the Cortland Metal Racquets with a smooth exterior and loop on the inside:

http://imgur.com/a/VETIa

jimbo333 · 02-13-2013, 04:44 PM

Here it is

There is just something about metal rackets I really like!

Hannah19 · 02-13-2013, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbo333

Here it is

There is just something about metal rackets I really like!

Looks wise I'd say yes, some have the X factor such as the Prince and Wimbledon Magnesium, Garcia Titanium and even the ProKennex CU 31.
Not to mention the ancient Dayton's and T2000's.
But play wise I cannot be as enthousiastic ....

joe sch · 02-14-2013, 04:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMR

How about the Cortland Metal Racquets with a smooth exterior and loop on the inside:

http://imgur.com/a/VETIa

A better method than the t2000 loops which make stringing very difficult. I would surely use some plastic tubes since those tubes tend to oxidize which is abrasive to the looped string.

joe sch · 02-14-2013, 04:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hannah19

Looks wise I'd say yes, some have the X factor such as the Prince and Wimbledon Magnesium, Garcia Titanium and even the ProKennex CU 31.
Not to mention the ancient Dayton's and T2000's.
But play wise I cannot be as enthousiastic ....

I concur.
I should have included a dayton in my showing.
Maybe worth another shoot since I have about a dozen different dayton steel models ?

jimbo333 · 04-05-2013, 02:35 AM

Thought I should add these photos to this thread.

Here are some photos of my John Mott metal racquets. They were hand made in Farnham, Surrey in the UK.
These 2 are the Silver Shadow and the Camargue, named after a couple of 1980's Rolls Royce cars. Amazing looking metal tennis racquets!

rodracquet · 04-06-2013, 04:32 PM

Speaking of Daytons I found a rough example of the Wilson Indestructo circa 1929 featuring an all steel head/shaft/handle and a Cork grip. The butt cap is all steel and so are the strings.... see a gallery at

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fb...type=1&theater

jimbo333 · 04-15-2013, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodracquet

Speaking of Daytons I found a rough example of the Wilson Indestructo circa 1929 featuring an all steel head/shaft/handle and a Cork grip. The butt cap is all steel and so are the strings.... see a gallery at

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fb...type=1&theater

Excellent, I thought I had one of these, but when I last looked I couldn't find it. Will have another look next weekend!

jimbo333 · 04-15-2013, 03:31 PM

Thought I would add these photos of these great looking metal presses to this thread, as they are sort of relavant to it!

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=460304

03-03-2011, 08:02 PM	#101
rodracquet Rookie Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 122	The metal racquets are really good to look at, so I am glad they were made and finally ovetaken by materials which didn't ruin your elbow. I think that tennis elbow must be lower than ever before thanks to the new materials, but that is another thread. Thought I would share with you this proto-type that arrived ex France and found on hard rubbish tip. It arrived in an ALLO (french aluminium auto company that also made wood racquets from early 1900's) It isn't branded, arrived without a grip and is loosely strung. I polished it up and my stringer had a extra long grip which worked. Like the Pro-AM this is solid cast but the detail in the casting is truly amazing down to the curved string holes and indented frame to protect the strings. Never seen another which would be circa 1945. __________________ Rod from www.tennishistory.com.au Australian & Unusual Racquets, Old Video, Trophies & Books. Also see Australian Tennis History on FACEBOOK

03-03-2011, 08:04 PM	#102
rodracquet Rookie Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 122	Also, re the BIRMAL ALUMINIUM Grips. Can anyone please point me in the direction of where to find a cord grip that would look authentic. I have photos of an example and I note they came with leather grips also, but just trying to explore the cricket, golf restoration worlds where cord was used quite often. Happy for any advice. __________________ Rod from www.tennishistory.com.au Australian & Unusual Racquets, Old Video, Trophies & Books. Also see Australian Tennis History on FACEBOOK

03-03-2011, 08:10 PM	#103
rodracquet Rookie Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 122	Here some other racquets that have a metal component. The Dunlop Mono shaft seen earlier in the thread as new is great, the Slazenger twin shaft (same factory) and the MacGregor Tourney. Then we have the Samuel Fox wood stainless steel racquet with dodgy patent numbers. Used to be an umbrella maker, so guess this is a very early Stainless Steel version as opposed to the Carbon Steel variety. __________________ Rod from www.tennishistory.com.au Australian & Unusual Racquets, Old Video, Trophies & Books. Also see Australian Tennis History on FACEBOOK

06-02-2012, 09:46 PM	#105
TMR Rookie Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 144	Cortland Metal Racquets with loop stringing system How about the Cortland Metal Racquets with a smooth exterior and loop on the inside: http://imgur.com/a/VETIa

02-13-2013, 04:44 PM	#106
jimbo333 Hall Of Fame Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Windsor, England Posts: 3,987	Here it is There is just something about metal rackets I really like! __________________ :)