Racquet Handle or Table Leg? You Make the Call
- Thread starter varuscelli
- Start date
varuscelli
Professional
Noveson said:
I dunno, my understanding is that racquets that look like table legs get posted to Odds and Ends and table legs that look like racquets get posted here. Or do I have that backwards?
VGP
Legend
I'm guessing table leg.
Most wooden handle rackets have either criss-crossed texture (quite old) or if they are vertical, the grooves are thin and close together and even on the other bevels.
I'm assuming that since you're holding it up by the window, either it is an old racket or the rest of the table is no longer attached to the leg.
Most wooden handle rackets have either criss-crossed texture (quite old) or if they are vertical, the grooves are thin and close together and even on the other bevels.
I'm assuming that since you're holding it up by the window, either it is an old racket or the rest of the table is no longer attached to the leg.
Tennis Man
Hall of Fame
It looks like a musical instrument to me ... let's see ... a violin with a head attched to it? 
varuscelli
Professional
VGP said:
Yes, that criss-cross texture. Like this (but does this image offer any further clues?):
martinross
New User
Both the criss-cross racket handle and the one with the lines seem to have proper proportion and correct bevels - I am going to say both are racket handles ( and I am glad to be palying my prestiges instead)
slice bh compliment
G.O.A.T.
First one: Table leg is my vote. Usually a ribbed/grooved handle is robbed/grooved all the way around. And it is octagonal. This one looks like it is four sided, and the right side has no grooves.
I think it is definitely a table leg.
Like Martinross said, the one with the criss-cross pattern is much more racquet-like. Rare criss-cross texture and not on all 8 sides, but at least it is octagonal. I would love to slap a Fairway on it (sacrilege!)
Ruscelli is the name of a woodworking family from Central Italy. Yet another reason I think the first one is a table leg.
Now if we can get heads on these things, string 'em up and play a few!
I think it is definitely a table leg.
Like Martinross said, the one with the criss-cross pattern is much more racquet-like. Rare criss-cross texture and not on all 8 sides, but at least it is octagonal. I would love to slap a Fairway on it (sacrilege!)
Ruscelli is the name of a woodworking family from Central Italy. Yet another reason I think the first one is a table leg.
Now if we can get heads on these things, string 'em up and play a few!
Tennis Man
Hall of Fame
so when is the deadline for your "guessing game"?
varuscelli
Professional
Rafaello said:so when is the deadline for your "guessing game"?
Sometime today, anyway. Not much longer.
varuscelli
Professional
OK, here are a couple of more photos.
Whatever it is, you see that I can ALMOST hold it like a racquet. Almost.
Whatever it is, you see that I can ALMOST hold it like a racquet. Almost.
varuscelli
Professional
And the verdict is...I think it's a racquet. But built like a table leg.
The grip area of the handle is almost 6 inches around without the leather grip, the remnants of which can be seen on the very end of the handle. A six-inch grip! Jeez...it feels like I'm holding onto a baseball bat (only bigger around). For reference sake, my hand size should comfortably accommodate a 4-3/8 grip
1908 Dreadnought Driver.
The grip area of the handle is almost 6 inches around without the leather grip, the remnants of which can be seen on the very end of the handle. A six-inch grip! Jeez...it feels like I'm holding onto a baseball bat (only bigger around). For reference sake, my hand size should comfortably accommodate a 4-3/8 grip
1908 Dreadnought Driver.
varuscelli
Professional
Gundam said:It's time to clip your fingernails, varuscelli
What, and give up guitar?
At least the grease from working on our old car has been removed (well, most of it...).
varuscelli
Professional
VGP said:
Aww, you should have left your original answer. It was a lot closer a guess than I would have ever been able to make. I was even the one holding it in my hand and I didn't seem to know what it was.
varuscelli
Professional
andrew_b said:
Good call.
I don't know all that much about early racquet history, but I bet you're right in terms of original design/intent. Even though I can tell that this one has actually been fully wrapped before (at some time in its history, since I can see the tell-tale residue -- light/dark "wrap-like" marks -- on the wood), it's likely you're right, given the design of the handle grooves to keep it from twisting or slipping in the hand. The bit of leather on the end would likely just be to keep the racquet from flying out of your hand.
Here's a closer look at it where you can tell that the one small piece of leather on the end has been there longer than anything else that was on the handle of the racquet:
varuscelli
Professional
VGP said:I was close, but not correct. Oh well.....
varuscelli - what racket does that one belong to? A Wright and Ditson?
That one's a Spalding. It even looks like it has a "baseball" logo on it. I guess tennis balls used to have a woven exterior, too. I'll post a couple of more photos in a bit.
varuscelli
Professional
Here's the Spalding. Not sure how old this one is, but I'm guessing about as old as the other racquet, which is near 100 years old. The Spalding has the "complete" leather piece on the butt of the grip, probably very well illustration what andrew_b was suggesting.
varuscelli
Professional
Here are the Harry C. Lee Dreadnought Driver and the Spalding side by side.
varuscelli
Professional
A couple of close-ups of the Spalding logo area. Notice the sewn ball?
Nextman916
Professional
Throw a tourna on their and your good to go.
varuscelli
Professional
Nextman916 said:Throw a tourna on their and your good to go.
I'm looking for it in an antique wood tone, if you know who carries any. Thirty-grip roll, oak if possible.
slice bh compliment
G.O.A.T.
This Dreadnought you've got is something special.
Ruscelli, where and how did you acquire that Dreadnought? I've only read the name...never actually seen one.
I'm guessing it's on the heavy side?
I've got a couple of Daytons from the teens and a Spalding favorite from the turn of the century. Both are on the light side, but the grips were fairly manly (at least by today's standards).
If I find four matching Dreadnoughts, I will make the coolest table ever. [kidding]
Ruscelli, where and how did you acquire that Dreadnought? I've only read the name...never actually seen one.
I'm guessing it's on the heavy side?
I've got a couple of Daytons from the teens and a Spalding favorite from the turn of the century. Both are on the light side, but the grips were fairly manly (at least by today's standards).
If I find four matching Dreadnoughts, I will make the coolest table ever. [kidding]
varuscelli
Professional
slice bh compliment said:This Dreadnought you've got is something special.
Ruscelli, where and how did you acquire that Dreadnought? I've only read the name...never actually seen one.
I'm guessing it's on the heavy side?
The Dreadnought was an auction item, but I wasn't really sure exactly what I was getting, not having seen one before. It's pretty badly warped, but still a neat looking racquet, especially from the standpoint of the massive handle/grip. It's heavy, right between 13.9 and 14 ounces (395 grams).
The Spalding in the other photos is much denser wood. If its handle were any thicker it would have a monster weight. It's 13 ounces but has only a 4-inch grip.
varuscelli
Professional
slice bh compliment said:
Yeah, I could saw the heads off for something more traditional or keep the racquets intact if I want to be a bit more artsy about it. Hmmm. Better start drawing up some plans and warm up the mitre saw. [poker face so no one can tell for sure if I'm kidding]
I have seen other similar logo but has no mentioning Philadelphia. What is older?? And which periods are both.
Who can be of help!?!?!?
Who can be of help!?!?!?
A couple of close-ups of the Spalding logo area. Notice the sewn ball?
