Mills Machine Question

[Garyis2000]

Special thank you to "midcoast vintage" for giving me just about all the great info I wanted.

Last thing I need is the exact name and year of this machine (ie: 1947 or 1948/ Mills, Crisscross, jewel, jewel bell ? etc) and maybe wholesale Value?
Thanks all...

[Midcoast Vintage]

you're welcome.
probably a jewel bell.
if there is a serial # on the machine, can narrow down the year by that.
there are those on this forum who have serial # dates.
i do not have them available at this time, as they are packed away.

[Dave]

Go to http://www.CoinOpRegistry.com to research serial numbers.

[Garyis2000]

I took off the bonnet and the below number was on the case.
MLB 7618

I did check the link you gave me Dave but didn't see how to research this number.

[Midcoast Vintage]

I took off the bonnet and the below number was on the case.
MLB 7618

I did check the link you gave me Dave but didn't see how to research this number.

that is a casting / part number.
look on the back of the base, top side, left side, or, look at the sticker on inside on left side.

[Garyis2000]

Found it
561565

[nvmos2]

Your serial number dates the machine (at least the cabinet) to 1946.

My opinion:
It started out as a standard Mills Jewel High Top.
When the Criss Cross feature became popular, it was converted sometime after 1947,
possibly during a Baker revamp.
It has been through many hands, so there is no way to know for sure who did what or when.
I assume that you have verified that it does in fact have the Criss Cross mechanism/payout feature.

As far as value;
I would put it in the same range as any other non-original High Top machine in similar condition.
For me, that is less than an unmolested original Jewel Bell.
I don't pay attention to prices anymore, but there are enough High Tops around that you can gauge a selling price for yourself,
or use the online price guide available here.

[Garyis2000]

Thanks nvmos2 for all the great info. I'm impressed with knowledge this site has especially with these older machines that have soooo many variances.
I don't know how to check if there is something inside to verify the criss cross feature.

I'm surprised to hear there's a 1946 Hightop. I hadn't seen that before.

[TheFatman]

As far as checking the payout of the Criss Cross, it should pay 20 coins it you can see the 3 bars in any of the 9 window positions. You have a row above the payline and one below. If there is a bar visible in the first 3 spaces positions and the same for the next two verticle lines it should pay 20 coins. I have a Criss Cross machine which shows that info on the aluminum block to the right of the reels. I will post pics...

Dave

[nvmos2]

I'm surprised to hear there's a 1946 Hightop. I hadn't seen that before.

It should be noted that most, if not all, of the books indicate the Jewel Bell came out in 1947,
yet the Bueschel/Zimmerman serial number list shows a small number in the 1946 range and your 561565 number would appear to be in 1946.

Fatman;
Great photos
interesting to note the different style Criss Cross nameplate, reel ornament casting, and award plate.