Slot Machine Collecting

Players from all countries can PLAY!

Playing slot machines is usually a lot of fun, and collecting slot machines is a hobby enjoyed by many happy gamblers. As opposed to investing all their money on the casino, they put money into actual slot machines. The machines may give hundreds of hours of "free" play, and a few machines have gone up in value over time. Although many of us just like the slots made within the 1930's and 1940's, today's slots and video poker games are highly regarded too.

Forty years ago when there wasn't a single book about slot machines in any library within the country, David G. Christensen decided that as opposed to just making some posters from the beautiful, fine-line illustrations he had product of old slot machines, he would really hunt down the history of several dozen machines and present the drawings and the history as a book. Printed in 1972 by Vestal Press, Slot Machines – A Pictorial Review managed to seek out a small market and was republished with a brand new forward by machine historian Richard M. Bucschel.

Many slot machine enthusiasts found new reasons to assemble slot machines after the book came out, and more books about slots like Marshal Fey's Slot Machines would follow.

The First Slot Machine

There were many coin-operated gambling devices manufactured within the late 1800's, and a few of them were made with spinning cards and payouts were in response to poker hands. However, Charles Fey is credited with producing the primary true slot machine with spinning reels, the 1899 Liberty Bell.

Although an authentic Liberty Bell slot would cost a small fortune, there are lots of slots available from turn-of-the-century manufacturers like Adolph Caille, Thomas Watling and H.S. Mills that experience amazing reliability, unimaginable engineering, and will still be played for real coins. Not all states allow even vintage slot ownership, so check before you purchase anything!

Slot machines were first produced to be completely mechanical. Later, within the 1960's, electro-mechanical machines were produced. As of this writing, there's not that much difference in price between a pleasant Mills Hi-Top machine (constituted of 1947 to 1962) and an electro-mechanical Bally machine from the 1970's. Small production slots just like the Mills 1929 Baseball Vendor sell for far higher prices.

Price guides can be found for slot machines and list varying quantities made, estimated in existence, and costs realized. Because slot machines were legal in lots of areas of the rustic for the primary 1/2 the 20 th century, there have been millions of slot made. The 1930's were an extremely productive and exciting time for collectors to remember, as new machines just like the Mills Bonus Bell, Mystery Bell and Cherry Bell were made with vivid artwork adorning their cast metal fronts. O.D. Jennings followed suit with colorful machines. These slots sell within the $3500 range.

Watling Rol-A-Top machines made in 1935 are collector favorites. An original machine in excellent condition might bring $12,000 while a reconditioned machine might sell for $8,000.

Caille manufactured slightly more cost effective machines than other producers within the 1920's and 1930's. After selling the business to Fuller Johnson in 1932, the corporate produced the Caille Cadet, a smooth-front machine that was produced in six colors - all bland. Today a 1936 Cadet lists for roughly $2500, but is probably going to sell for half that quantity on ebay.

Jennings machines were still in use at casinos just like the Nevada Club in Reno until the 1990's. These versatile machines were true workhorses. The machines made within the 1940's featured a high-top design with brushed chrome and lights. These machines just like the Standard Chief and Sun Chief has been seen recently on the market within the $4800 range. Slightly rarer Tic-Tac-Toe models command another $1000.

Pace machines were popular for a few years and utilized in casinos like Harold's Club until the 1970's. The machines were stury, steady, and built for excessive use. They sell for approximately $2000. Harrah's casino in Reno preferred all chrome Pace machines, and collectors now pay a small premium over the machines used at Harold's Club.

Bally Manufacturing was formed in 1931 and produced pin games. In 1938 they made a "Double Bell" machine that allowed the player an option of playing each side of a 3-reel machine. One side was 5-cents, the opposite 25-cents. This machine is selling at the moment in Laughlin, Nevada for $4800.

Bally electro-mechinical slots just like the Money Honey are quite popular. In addition they did not have the misfortune to be around after slots were outlawed in all states but Nevada within the early 1950's, so only a few were destroyed. As opposed to coin-tubes with slides to make different payouts, the brand new 1964 Bally 742A used an electrical hopper that held several hundred coins and will make payoffs from two coins to 200 coins.

The machines were very fashionable and Bally eventually dominated the market in Nevada to the demise of many other slot manufacturers. These machines are durable and simple to take care of for people with some basic mechanical and electrical ability.

Repair

If you might be mechanically inclined, you can most likely fix any of the old mechanical machines yourself, although chances are you'll want a little help or a repair manual. Manuals are even available in book form for specific machines, and replacement parts like springs and reels strips are easily found online.

Newer machines, especially people with computer motherboards (including IGT video slots and poker), might have to be take to a repair shop. It is a good idea to make use of a dolly to transport your slot machines around with, because even the old machines are quite heavy. An older slot with wooden side might weigh sixty to seventy pounds. A MORE MODEREN slot with a heavy door and steel sides is perhaps well over 100 pounds.

Read More... [Source: About.com Casino Gambling: What's Hot Now]