A very good glass shop can fabricate a glass top for your table. They will need a pattern of the top. Ask for a polished edge.

We will get around to your question in a bit but first I just have to say what an honor it must be to sit at something bearing your moniker . I'm going to ask the kids to buy me something for Christmas bearing my name. "Klem The First" sounds so much nicer than American Standard. (;

From your description and period table is from I wager the "absolutely gorgeous high gloss finish" is 2 part epoxy or similar. A skilled refinisher can tell at a glance if that's true. If you can remove a leaf or load the table,I reccomend you have a professional put an eye on it before attempting a refinish. If that's what it is and you brought it to me, chances are I would buff it.

If it isn't 2 part, you still need to identify existing finish before undertaking a refurbish. You tell me (A) if top is solid or laminate (B) what species of wood ((C) if there's burl,fiddle back or other exotic grain (D) what kind of finish is on it now (E) if a can of pledge ever occupied the same room as table and I'll tell you what it will take to get the finish you want.

May all your Knights gather around the table when you call.

Klem The First.

If you want to up the cost of that top you can have it tempered. Starfire low iron glass will have a clear edge.

Remodeling1840 - I like that idea.
Klem1 - LOL if only it was spelled the right way.;) If I refinish it, it would definitely be done by someone way smarter than me.
Dan1888 - what is starfire low iron glass.

We put glass tops on oak end tables and an ash desk - it is delightful to not have to worry if some joker sets a frosty mug on the wood furniture without a coaster! A glass top would be the simplest solution.

Without glass, listen to Klem!

@ann , though I often feel like the minority of one, I like to think all of us can learn from this forum. With that in mind ,will you clarify what you hoped to gain by asking this question here? When I posted my thoughts I was under the impression you are planning a diy. Now that you said you plan to hand it off, I'd like to give food for thought. Seeking instructions on line with the intention of supplying those instructions to a third party is recipe for disaster. If the person you assign responsibility to doesn't know EXACTLY how it should be done you should find someone else. Would you go on line to ask what and how you should tell a third party to do with your hair? Of course not because the outcome is predictable. At any rate knowing your line of reasoning helps me expand my horizons of understanding where folks are coming from.

Klem, i was wanting to know if it was even possible to make the top more durable; if it was, in what ways.

I hadn't thought of a glass over it and if I choose that, I would call a custom glass company to discuss it further. If it was some kind if refinishing, I would continue discussing it with a professional. I was asking for research. If there wasn't any plausible way, I would keep using my table pads and tablecloth.

Awha, so you expect to establish "plausibility" without supplying relevant facts? That comes under the heading of "searching for a silver bullet". Best of luck with it.

Starfore is a variety of glass where the blue-green you see with a polished edge is lessened to near clear. It can be tempered for added toughness.

Klem, i am really not sure what you mean or implying. I thought this was a relatively innocent question. I stated I had a 40 year old table with a top I have had to baby and protect. And was wanting to know if there was a way to make it more durable. I do not think I over reached the abilities of the posters by assuming people might have experience or ideas since I received some very good suggestions. Thank you to everyone who did!

Thanks Dan for the explanation! To those that put glass on top of your table, did you have any issues with spills going under the glass and getting stuck? How easy was it to keep the glass clean? I was reading on another board where posters stated that had been an issue for them.